The understanding hit everyone at once.
Jax was right. Before he had even laid out his reasoning, every person in the dungeon had assumed he would simply ignore Lilith's wishes and do as he pleased.
But his logic was airtight. There was no escaping the truth he had presented. Cleenah's sins would come to light the moment the recordings surfaced. And if they didn't surface, Lilith would take the fall instead.
Either way, someone dies.
Lilith processed it for a few seconds. Then spoke.
"There has to be a way to avoid it. A way where she doesn't have to die."
Jax's response was flat. "Sorry. But there is no way."
"But—"
Cleenah cut in. A teary smile on her ruined face.
"It's okay, Lilith. I'll happily accept my fate." Her voice was steady despite the tears. "He's right. I don't see a way out."
She exhaled.
"And even if there was one, I don't want to live my life hiding. Running. Protecting myself from the consequences of what I've done."
