Chapter 184

Lauren's POV

Holding a glass of water and a pack of ice in my hands, I walked back into the living room, my chest feeling tight from everything that had happened. The house was too painfully quiet for a place that used to be filled with Aria’s laughter. Each step I took sounded heavy, echoing faintly off the walls as if reminding me how empty the house suddenly felt.

Tessa was sitting on the couch, looking pale and exhausted. Her hair was a little disheveled, her blouse slightly wrinkled, and a thin line of dried blood trailed down the side of her temple. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I handed her the ice pack.

“Here,” I said softly, lowering myself into the armchair across from her. “Hold this against your head. It’ll help.”

She gave a faint nod and pressed the icepack to her injury, wincing slightly from the sting of the cold. I placed the glass of water on the table beside her and waited. I didn’t want to rush her, but every second