A Crown of Ashes (Whychoose Romance)

10. Shifting Shadows (edited)

(Isabella's POV)

I took a deep breath, steeling myself as I entered the small room where Lila sat. The stark fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across her face, making her look even more fragile than I had imagined. She was perched on the edge of her seat, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her oversized sweatshirt. It was time to confront her. Time to find out what she really knew about Isaac's schemes.

"Lila," I said, my voice firm as I closed the door behind me. "We need to talk."

She glanced up, her wide eyes reflecting a mix of apprehension and defiance. "About what?"

"About Isaac," I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest. "You've been living with him for how long? You must know something about what he's planning."

"I don't know anything," she insisted, her voice wavering. "I swear, I don't."

I leaned forward, narrowing my gaze. "You expect me to believe that? You were involved with him, Lila. You have to know something."

Her posture stiffened at my words, and I could see her struggling to maintain her composure. "I wasn't involved! I was just... I had to do what he said."

"What do you mean, 'had to do what he said'?" I pressed, my frustration mounting. "What does that even mean? Do you think we're just going to let you go because you claim to be a victim?"

"Please," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "You don't understand. He—"

"Then make me understand!" I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "Tell me everything. Who else is involved? What are his plans?"

"I don't know!" she cried, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. "I swear! I don't want to talk about this!"

"Why not?" I shot back, leaning closer, my voice low and threatening. "Are you scared? Or do you know exactly what he's up to and are just playing us for fools?"

Her expression shifted, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes—fear? Desperation? Whatever it was, it made my heart race. "I'm not playing anyone," she said, her voice trembling.

"Then why won't you tell me the truth?" I pressed, unable to suppress the rising anger in my tone. "What are you hiding?"

"Please, just stop," she begged, her breath hitching. "You don't know what he's capable of. I'm not lying!"

At that moment, I could feel the tension in the air thickening, wrapping around us like a noose. I was pushing too hard, but I had to know. I couldn't let her keep hiding behind those walls.

"Lila," I said, my voice suddenly dropping to a quieter, more controlled level. "You can trust me. But you need to open up. Tell me what he's done to you."

Her gaze dropped to the floor, her fingers still twisting her sweatshirt, as if the fabric could provide her some comfort. "I can't," she said softly, her voice barely audible.

"Why can't you?" I asked, a sense of urgency creeping into my voice. "What do you think will happen if you tell me? Will he hurt you?"

At the mention of that possibility, Lila's body tensed, and she flinched as if my words had struck her like a physical blow. "He doesn't just hurt people," she whispered, her voice breaking. "He... he does worse."

"What do you mean?" I pressed, trying to keep my tone steady. "What worse could he possibly do?"

Her face crumpled, and for a moment, I thought she might cry. "It's easy to cover up torture when you never leave the house," she choked out, her eyes wide with terror.