Chapter 102 : Crocodile Tears

Ella

I yank my hand out of George's grip, feeling the heat of his touch burn into my skin.

His eyes, filled with a storm of emotions—anger, confusion, concern—lock onto mine. He's never seen me like this. Hell, I've never seen myself like this. There's a mixture of shock and disappointment in his gaze, like he's waiting for me to snap out of it and return to the composed, measured Ella he used to know. But that version of me seems miles away now, and I'm not sure if I can reach her again.

Behind me, Charlotte is still on the floor, her sobbing interrupted by the soft rustling of her hand digging into her purse. The tears fall slowly at first, but as she pulls out a small compact mirror, they come faster, heavier, in pitiful little gasps. Her hand trembles as she raises the mirror to inspect her reflection, and when her fingers graze the red mark on her cheek, she winces dramatically. She's selling this performance for everything it's worth.