Chapter 92

• Vanessa’s POV
• Alfie's words cut through me like a knife, a wave of hurt washing over me, sending my guts churning and my heart tightening in my chest. Despite our fallout and his rejection, I never expected such cruelty from him. He knows my parents are forever a sensitive topic for me.
• Evie, my protective inner voice, seemed to be working overtime, desperately trying to shield me from the pain threatening to overwhelm me. It was as if she didn't want me to feel anything, wrapping me in an emotional cocoon to shield me from the harsh reality of Alfie's accusations. I feel like she has been doing a lot of that lately, which is why she is always sleeping, drained. I've tried to talk to her about it, but she keeps evading the conversation. I don't know what to feel anymore.