Chapter 304 : Finding Forgiveness

*Lauren*

The grass crunched under my heels as I stormed down the hill, the remnants of the heated exchange with Lucas still burning in my chest. My mind was churning with words unsaid and feelings unsorted.

"Whoa, easy there," Shelby's voice cut through my inner storm as I nearly collided with her at the base of the hill. "Lauren?" she called out, her gray eyes immediately narrowing with concern as she caught sight of my disheveled appearance.

"Shelby," I breathed out, almost relieved to see a friendly face.

"Lauren, you're shaking,” she said, her soft voice tinged with alarm.

I hadn't realized I was trembling until she pointed it out. The cool facade of the New York socialite I once donned so effortlessly had slipped away entirely. I felt exposed and vulnerable and entirely overwhelmed.

"What happened? You look like you've just gone ten rounds with a hurricane," she said, her voice gentle but carrying that sharp, sarcastic edge that was so uniquely Shelby.