LAUREN'S POV

I let out a small sigh as I walked toward the couch, feeling the weight of everything pressing against my chest. “I don’t know, Tess,” I began, my voice softer than I intended, “I’m caught between worlds here. I can’t allow her to stay alone here. But I also can’t sit back and do nothing about our situation either.”

I paused, rubbing my palm over my forehead, the exhaustion sinking deeper than my bones. “I know you’d help me out with accommodation, you’re ...