Noah lifted Sophie gently, cradling her against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face against his shoulder as tears finally broke through her carefully maintained composure.
"I thought you were dead," she whispered, voice cracking. "When you disappeared during the initial attack..."
"I'm okay," Noah assured her, adjusting his hold to avoid pressing against her injured ribs. "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner."
Sophie pulled back slightly, eyes red-rimmed but intense. "My father—the Minister—he's working with them, Noah. He's been working with the Purge all along." The words tumbled out in a rush of pain and betrayal. "Everything I thought I knew... I'm so sorry. I should have seen it. I should have known."
Noah shook his head, expression grave. "This isn't on you, Sophie. None of it is."
