|| Lilac's POV ||

But reality came crashing in when my phone buzzed loudly on the nightstand. I groaned, reaching for it, and saw Elara’s name flashing on the screen. My heart sank. I had completely forgotten to check in with my family last night.

“Hey,” I said, my voice still thick with sleep as I answered the call.

“Don’t ‘hey’ me,” Elara’s voice came through the phone, sharp and exasperated. “Where are you? Do you have any idea how many lies I’ve ...