Evelyn's POV

My throat felt tight, and for a second I let out a quiet laugh. “Fine,” I said, shrugging. “It’s a knockoff.”

The words slipped out more as a shield than a confession. But the moment I said it, the group’s faces shifted. Snickers, lifted brows, eyes that carried pity or disdain.

I turned back toward Teresa, refusing to give them more of my time. “Ignore them,” she whispered, leaning close, her hand brushing my arm in comfort. I nodded and forced a smile, sipping my ...