Hera didn't say another word—she simply nodded, her head bobbing quickly, eyes brimming with tears.
Liz sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. "Then go…"
Her voice was soft, but there was a clear note of disappointment. Liz looked down, defeated. She had pinned so many hopes on this competition—on Hera. Her own future and interests were tied up in this too, so she couldn't pretend it didn't affect her.
But looking at Hera now, panicked and desperate, Liz knew she couldn't hold her back. As a friend, she had to let her go.
Still, the weight of it stung. She had believed in Hera, worked alongside her, planned everything down to the smallest detail. Now, with Hera leaving, all of it hung in uncertainty.
And Hera knew it too. Seeing Liz like this made her heart twist. She was dragging Liz into this mess, leaving her to deal with the consequences alone. Everything they had prepared could fall apart without her—and if it did, all their effort might go to waste.
