Chapter 28. The Bound

Chrissy’s POV

Lies.

And some more lies.

After that, the truth wouldn’t mean anything. That’s what Mom always taught us. Though Aura had been a rebel, I was her girl.

As I stood there, trying to process Xerina’s outburst, her words echoed in my mind.

Lies upon lies, all to protect her from a truth too horrible to bear.

But what could be so terrible that even knowing it would shatter everything?

I cared deeply for her, more than I ever let on. Ever since we were kids, I always thought of her as my sister rather than just a friend. We were so close, inseparable, sharing secrets and dreams. But now, it felt like I had ruined everything. Why was it feeling like that?

Was it because I couldn’t protect her the way I wanted to? Was it because the weight of the truth, the darkness lurking behind the lies, was too heavy for me to carry alone? I had to keep her safe, shield her from the horrors that I had seen, that I was entangled in.