Eleanor's POV
We talked a little longer after that. Chloe gave me some advice on how to navigate the coming days, what to look for, how to gather information without raising suspicion.
When the conversation finally ended and the bracelet's glow faded, I sat there for a long moment, just breathing. Then I stood, stripped off my clothes, and stepped into the shower.
The hot water cascaded over me, steam filling the small space. I leaned my forehead against the cool tile and let my mind drift, hoping against hope that this plan would work. That Mira and Roxy would succeed. That the triplets would somehow find it in themselves to trust me again.
But it hurt. God, it hurt so much, knowing that they hated me now. Even though I'd known this would happen, even though I'd prepared myself for it, the reality of Kieran's cold eyes and cutting words was a wound that wouldn't stop bleeding.
