Chapter 25

Lauren's POV

I let out a small sigh as I walked toward the couch, feeling the weight of everything pressing against my chest. “I don’t know, Tess,” I began, my voice softer than I intended, “I’m caught between worlds here. I can’t allow her to stay alone here. But I also can’t sit back and do nothing about our situation either.”

I paused, rubbing my palm over my forehead, the exhaustion sinking deeper than my bones. “I know you’d help me out with accommodation, you’re my friend and you’ve already opened your doors to us, but I can’t stay in your place forever, Tess. You have your own life to live, and I’m not going to be the one to get in the way of that.” My words felt heavy, raw, but honest. “And you know it’s true, even if you don’t want to admit it.”

Tessa folded her arms and tilted her head at me, her expression softening into something between concern and stubborn care. “We’re gonna talk about this more when we get back,” she finally said, tr