Zari placed the tray on the bedside table with a soft clink and turned, offering Ava a small, hesitant smile.
"I brought you some herbal tea."
Ava didn't miss the way Zari's hands trembled ever so slightly.
Her eyes flicked to the steaming cup.
How ironic.
Ava met her gaze and, without an ounce of hesitation, asked, "Is it poisoned?"
The color drained from her face so fast Ava almost wanted to laugh.
"What?…" Zari's voice cracked.
"You heard me." Ava tilted her head. "Do you really think I didn't know? I knew before I even lost consciousness that night. I was just waiting for the right time to confront you."
Zari's entire body shook, and before Ava could blink, she crumpled to the floor in a heap of tears.
She was done for.
Ava simply stared at her, unmoved. Crocodile tears.
"I didn't know what else to do," Zari sobbed, her voice a desperate, broken thing. "I tried to…Ava, they had my sister."
Ava's expression didn't change. "Who is 'they'?"
