C16 The Lie that Unravels

A moment earlier, into Damiano's question, which softly stroked even as it felt like a physical blow. For Serena, the first instinct now was to withdraw, the barricades of secrecy she had so carefully built now showing so many cracks. She slammed the laptop shut-somehow the sound resonating in the vast silence of the room-and hurriedly wiped at the wetness of her cheeks with her palm