Page 109 of Played

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"Then that's on Daniel. Not you."

"But I could have—"

"Could have what? Read his mind? Known he was a predator?" Julian's voice turns sharp. "Don't do that to yourself. Don't take responsibility for his evil."

I want to argue. Want to scream that I should have seen the signs, should have known, should have protected her. But exhaustion crashes over me like a wave, pulling me under.

"I'm so tired," I whisper.

"I know." He pulls me against his chest, hand stroking my hair. "When's the last time you ate a full meal?"

I can't remember.

"Exactly." He kisses my forehead. "We're ordering Chinese. You're eating every bite. Then you're sleeping."

"Julian—"

"No arguments."

I let Julian order the food while I lie back against the pillows, closing my eyes. Just for a second.

But my hand finds my phone again.

Just one more look.

I scroll through the conversation again, where the messages get shorter, more desperate.

Dylan: babe wtf is going on

Claudia: I can't do this anymore

Dylan: can't do what? Talk to me

Claudia: Us. I can't do us.

Dylan: is this about that daniel guy

Claudia: I need to go

Dylan: claudia wait

Claudia: He's my life now. I can't get away from him.

Dylan: what does that mean

Claudia: I have to break up with you

Dylan: just tell me what's happening

Claudia: I can't

My chest constricts. I read it again. And again.

He's my life now. I can't get away from him.

Those words. The way she phrases it. Not "I don't want to" or "I love him." Butcan't.

Like she's trapped.

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