“If you’re not finished yet,” Nessa called out, “consider this your fair warning that it’s time to wrap things up.”

I needed a third secret. My thoughts went to Nick. To the texts I’d sent that he hadn’t replied to. And then I thought about my mom. I’d always prided myself on being a straight talker, but there were certain truths everyone struggled to admit, even to themselves.

I don’t know how to stay mad at my mom. I’m not sorry Lily’s my sister. I’ve always wanted a family. I’ve always wanted a place to belong.

I want Nick to text back.

I glanced over at Lily. I could barely make out her face in the dark, but her eyes caught the torchlight. She was staring straight ahead, an odd half smile on her face, like this whole exercise had been therapeutic.

Like some part of her was hoping Victoria had been speaking literally when she’d mentioned the possibility of burning it all down.

I chose my third secret.

I wrote it down.

The White Gloves collected the pens, but they let us hold on to our secrets—for the moment.

“Take your first card,” we were instructed, “and turn to the person beside you.” I was sitting between Lily and Campbell. My instinct would have been to turn to Lily, but she was already turning to her left.

To someone else.

“Trade secrets,” Victoria said. “One of yours for one of theirs.”

“Well, Sawyer?” Campbell said beside me.

In for a penny, in for a pound. I held my first card out to her, anticipating her reaction. She plucked the card from my grasp, then hesitated before allowing me one of hers.

I saw the exact second Campbell processed the words pregnancy pact. “Your mama and Ana?” she murmured. I nodded, and her eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline.

Knowing I’d probably get an earful about having held back that information once we weren’t surrounded by Candidates and White Gloves, I looked down at the card Campbell had handed me. The torches the White Gloves had lit all around us only provided so much light, but I could still make out every word.

If I could undo it all, I would.

I looked from the card back up to Campbell. Her expression never changed. I knew without asking that the card was referring to what we’d done last spring. She’d been the driving force behind bringing her father to justice. She’d needed, on some level, to take him down.

And if she could take it all back? She would.

“Don’t say a word.” Campbell’s tone was pleasant enough, but I recognized a warning when I heard one. I wasn’t sure if she was telling me not to comment on the secret I’d just read or not to share it.

Either way?

“I won’t.”