Page 108 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"I'm sorry."

She shook her head.

"They keep asking how my phone ended up near the crash."

She gave a bitter laugh.

"They think I dug up my own flowerbeds and been harassing myself.”

She looked directly into my eyes.

"I didn't do any of it."

I met her gaze and held it.

"You deserve the chance to tell your side."

She took a slow breath.

"Thank you."

We sat quietly for a moment.

"I've been trying to figure out who hates me this much."

She looked down at the metal table.

"I've replayed every conversation, every friendship, every disagreement I've ever had."

She glanced back at me.

"I can't think of anyone."

I didn't answer.

"If I made mistakes," her voice cracked. "I've apologized. If I hurt someone, I never meant to."

We sat in silence again, the moment stretching between us.

"If I don't come home soon." I waited. "Will you keep the Lemon Pound Cake Club together?"

Her question lingered between us.

"The women need each other."

"They do."

"I've been thinking about it ever since they brought me here."

She managed a faint smile.

"They already trust you, and I trust you."

My chest tightened.

"I know it's a lot to ask. But I don't want everything we've built to disappear because of this."

I nodded.