101

KATHERINE

I had lied to Derek before. Little white lies, mostly. Harmless, or so I told myself. But this time felt different. Maybe it was because I could still feel his gaze on me as I left the house, or maybe it was because I was starting to question myself.

Either way, when I told him that Eva didn’t know much about what to buy in the market and that I’d accompany her, I knew it wasn’t entirely true. Eva was perfectly capable of running errands without me tagging along.

Still, I had needed an excuse to get out. To clear my head. And following Eva had seemed like the perfect opportunity.

The market was busy as usual, the air filled with the scent of fresh produce, baked bread, and the low hum of chatter. I stayed a few steps behind Eva, my mind wandering as I watched her navigate the crowded streets. For a moment, I found myself thinking about the conversation George and I had earlier. About taking risks and being honest with myself. Was I really being honest with anyone? With De