Chapter 35 What The Hell!

• Ezra gave her a curt nod, as though she was asking his permission. Anna grabbed Serena by the arm and led her into the room, shutting the door tightly behind them. She turned to Serena, her expression firm but gentle. "Tell me everything, Serena," she urged, her voice low. "What's going on? And the guard..." she trailed off, glancing back in the direction of the living room where Ezra waited.
• Serena slumped down onto Anna's bed, feeling a weight settle over her. For days, she'd been keeping it all in—the lies, the anxiety, and the tightrope she was walking under Adriano's watchful gaze. She took a deep breath. "I've been locked in for days, Anna. Adriano... he's been on my case more than ever, watching my every move." Her voice wavered as she admitted, "I am terrified. If he ever finds out the truth about my connection with Trejo, he will kill me."
• Anna's face softened, her brow knitting with sympathy as she reached out and squeezed Serena's hand. She could sense her friend's fear—the silent, heavy dread that had begun to take over Serena's life. "What do you want to do?" she asked, her voice soft but resolute. She knew Serena had to be feeling cornered, but she also knew that Serena had always been a fighter.