When They Beg, I Rise!

Asher rushed into the hallway just as Lemira was about to leave.

"Lemira, wait up!"

"If your words mean nothing, then there's no reason for me to stay," Lemira retorted, her tone icy.

Asher's expression hardened, and he forced out, "I must have misheard earlier. I thought it was you who started the fight."

If Lemira left now, what would happen with Caspian and Alaric? He couldn't afford to carry that burden.

Lemira's lips twisted into a cold smile. "Did you mishear, or did someone deliberately twist the truth?"

Asher's tone grew softer. "Does it really matter?"

"It does matter. You all love sweeping things under the rug, but I'm done with that. We need to clear this up."

Just as Lemira finished speaking, Caspian dragged Evelina into the room.

Caspian glared at Evelina. "So, what exactly did you tell Asher earlier? Repeat it."

Evelina sheepishly glanced at Asher. "Asher, I never said Lemmy hit me."

discomfort. Evelina hadn't said it outright, but her tone certainly implied

a moment, then addressed Lemira,

apologize to Lemira," Lucian interjected, stepping in. "You assumed Lemira was at fault, and that's on you. She's been wronged by our assumptions before, and we can't let it happen

reluctant. He was Asher, after all. Apologizing wasn't in

misled Asher, which

Evelina take the blame, Asher felt somewhat relieved. He had been irritated with her moments

the "two-faced" girl approached her with feigned sincerity and swiftly slapped her

Evelina was stunned.

it means you're admitting fault. Slapping you is for your own

screamed, "For my

not a good habit. I'm just helping you correct it. You

feet, her voice dripping with faux kindness. "Try not to talk like

don't

to do this again."

side of Lemira

to

his throat. "Lemira has a point. She helped you up, which

with frustration. Lemira's actions were anything but conciliatory, but with Asher's stance, she