Voice from the Ashes

Valerie’s POV

There's something we have to tell you.

Hadley's words refused to leave me alone.

Each repetition tightened an invisible noose around my throat until breathing felt like a privilege I no longer deserved. The engagement? I already knew about the goddamn ring. The video? Had Hadley spilled more than she promised? Or worse…Russ?

My fingers strangled the stem of the champagne flute so har