chapter 79

Chapter

Mara's POV

"Ethan, I swear, I wasn't lying," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. "I saw Lia put something in my drink."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Mara, I believe you. But the others... they don't. They think you're causing trouble."

I could feel the weight of their judgment even now, like a heavy blanket smothering me. "Why don't they believe me? Lia is the one causing trouble, not me."

Ethan stepped closer, his eyes softening. "They've known her for a long time, Mara. It's hard for them to see her doing something like this."

"But she did!" I insisted, my voice rising. "She planned this, Ethan. She wanted to provoke me and make herself look like the victim."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with sympathy. "I know. I believe you. But convincing the others is going to be difficult."

I buried my face in my hands, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. "What am I supposed to do, Ethan? They think I'm the one causing problems