Felicia looked away, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Ann, you don't understand how heavy it was to carry that secret. Every night I felt trapped, like I was fighting a battle no one could see."
Ann's expression softened. "I'm sorry you felt that way... I never meant to judge you."
"I know," Felicia whispered. "But after I gave my life to Christ, everything changed. It wasn't easy, but the peace I feel now… it's real."
Ann nodded slowly. "I want that peace too, Felicia. I want to be free from all this guilt."
Felicia reached out and squeezed her hand. "You can be. God's forgiveness is bigger than any mistake."
The two friends sat quietly for a moment, the weight between them lifting slightly. Felicia finally said, "I just wish I told you sooner. Maybe you wouldn't have felt so alone."
Ann smiled through tears. "We'll walk this path together now. No more hiding."
Felicia took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Ann, I want to share everything with you—the struggles, the prayers, the moments when I felt like giving up."
Ann nodded encouragingly. "I'm listening. I want to understand."
Felicia's voice trembled slightly. "It started as curiosity, but it quickly became a habit I couldn't break. I felt ashamed, but I didn't know how to stop."
Ann's eyes widened with empathy. "That must have been so hard."
"It was," Felicia admitted. "But one night, I cried out to God. I asked Him to help me, to take away this shame and help me start fresh."
Ann smiled warmly. "That's powerful, Felicia."
Felicia's eyes sparkled with hope. "It is. And even though I still struggle sometimes, I know I'm not alone anymore. God's grace covers me."
Ann took a moment before whispering, "I want that grace too. Teach me how to find it."
Felicia grinned. "I will. Step by step, day by day, we'll get there."