Sophia’s P.O.V

The sunlight slanted through the café windows just enough to make the air feel warm and golden, but even that soft light couldn’t hide the purpling bruise on my cheek. I had tried covering it with makeup, but Veronica, my best friend in the whole world, noticed it the moment she saw me. She froze mid-step, her cup of cappuccino forgotten in her hands as her eyes widened in horror.

“What the hell happened to your face?” she demanded, her voice already ...