CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE - A FAMILY DIVIDED

    Nia felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, and she blinked them back, overwhelmed by the love and support of her friends. "I don't know what I did to deserve you two," she said, her voice thick with emotion. Helia bumped her hip against Nia's, a playful smile on her face. "You didn't have to do anything, Nia. We love you for who you are, past and all." Maria nodded, her expression serious. "Hel's right. You're stuck with us, whether you like it or not." Nia laughed, the sound bright and carefree. "I think I can live with that," she said, squeezing her friends' arms. They walked on, the conversation flowing easily between them. They talked about their favorite books, the best places to get coffee in the city, the most embarrassing moments of their lives. Nia found herself laughing more than she had in years, the weight of her past lifting with each passing minute. But as they approached the subway station, Nia felt a flicker of unease. The nagging voice in the back of h