So, she sent David nudes, pictures of herself in her school uniform with her tits out. She thought if she could get him to sleep with her again, she could fix things. Either win him back or force him to leave Sienna.

He sent one message in response.

“Nice try, Edie. Watch your step from now on. I’m keeping these.”

When the text came, she felt herself break. Split into a thousand fractures of herself. And that was what she told Willow in the dark, the whole story in all its veiny details. She didn’t try to make herself look better or spare her family. She let the truth flow and as she spoke, she shuddered like she was exorcising a demon. When she was done, she wiped her eyes, feeling lighter and darker and smaller than she ever had in her life.

“Say something,” she begged. “Please say something?”

Willow stared at her in shock, so pale his freckles stood out like stars. “How old were you?”

“I… What?” she said, though she’d heard him perfectly.

“How old were you when he took you out for coffee?”

Her mouth filled with bile. Somehow, she hadn’t said it. Still felt like she had to protect him and her parents. Everyone. She swallowed and tried to focus on Willow’s face. Two syllables. That’s all it would take.

“Fifteen,” she whispered. “I was fifteen.”

“Fif—” Willow threw the door open. “I’ll fucking kill him.”

Eden scrambled out of the car and raced after him, stumbling on her skirt. “Willow! Stop!”

He whirled around, angry as a big, red bear. “He was twenty-three and you were fucking fifteen?”

“It doesn’t matter! It’s over!”

“Doesn’t matter?” Willow plunged both fists into his hair. “Jesus Christ! How did this happen? What kind of parents do you have?”

“Stupid ones.” She ran toward him and gripped his shirt. “Don’t! Please!”

He shook his head violently, like an animal in a trap. “I’ll fucking kill him.”

“You can’t,” Eden said, though part of her was singing. Flying.

“That cunt. That fucking dog.” Willow’s teeth were bared. “You don’t want your parents to like me? Fine. I’ll knock your ex’s fucking teeth out at his engagement party.”

It occurred to Eden that no one had ever called David her ex. And that tiny acknowledgment made her feel seen in a way she never had. Not because she liked that David was her ex, but because it was the truth.

Willow gripped her hands, yanking them from his shirt. “Let me go.”

Eden clutched tighter. “He’s not worth it. He’ll sue you.”

“Who gives a fuck? I’ve got money. I’ve got more money than all of them. Let me go!”

“No!” She was laughing now. Laughing and crying, her tears running into her mouth. “You’ll tarnish your beautiful reputation!”