IMOGEN'S POV
Lana stood there, her eyes pleading with a desperation that almost made me feel sorry for her. Almost. The façade she wore so well was cracking, and beneath it, I could see the fear and guilt that she was trying so hard to conceal. But I wasn't about to let her off that easily. Not after everything that had happened.
She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what she was about to say. "Imogen," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I want to start by saying how sorry I am for what you've gone through. Elijah… he's made some mistakes, but you have to understand, he's my son. He's been under so much pressure lately, with everything that's happened. He's not thinking clearly."
