“Where are you going?”
The sound of Damian’s voice made Lyla freeze in her tracks. Her hand tightened around the strap of her purse as she slowly turned around to face him.
“I—uh…” she stammered, forcing a shaky smile. “My friend... she’s sick. She called me just now. I’m just going to see her.”
Damian's eyes narrowed, studying her closely. “Really?” he said casually, but there was steel beneath his tone. “Then why are you sweating so much?”
Lyla blinked. Only then did she notice the dampness on her forehead. She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand. “It’s... it’s hot outside,” she muttered. “The weather’s been terrible today.”
Damian didn’t reply for a moment. His gaze lingered on her for just a little too long, as if memorizing her face, then he nodded. “Alright. Be careful.”
He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Lyla let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her knees almost buckled. That was close. Too close.
She waited u
