CHAPTER 53

Vera’s POV

The moment it registered—what she was doing—Vera shoved him.

Not hard enough to hurt him.

Just enough to break it.

Her breath came out uneven as she stepped back, eyes wide for a split second before she masked it. “No,” she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to him.

Kael didn’t move.

Didn’t try to grab her again.

She turned immediately and walked fast—too fast to be casual, not quite running but close enough—and didn’t stop.

Not until she was far enough.

Not until she couldn’t feel him behind her anymore.

Her hand came up to her mouth without thinking.

She froze.

Then dropped it immediately like it burned.

“Get yourself together,” she muttered, pushing a hand through her hair. “Seriously, what the hell was that…”

Her heart was still racing like she’d just fought someone.

Maybe she had.

Just not in the usual way.

She exhaled sharply and looked around, realizing she had no idea where she had walked into.

A door stood slightly open.

Quiet.

Dim.

She pushed it open and stepped inside.

Library.

Of course.

Perfect place to hide and pretend nothing just happened.

She moved further in, trying to slow her breathing, trying to reset—

“You look like you just saw a ghost who liked you”

Vera froze.

Then turned slowly.

Aaron was slouched on one of the chairs, one arm resting over the back, expression somewhere between bored and irritated.

Great.

Exactly what she needed.

“Can I have one peaceful moment today?” she asked flatly.

“No,” he replied without missing a beat. “Not in this house.”

She rolled her eyes and walked further in, dropping into the seat opposite him like her legs finally gave up pretending they were fine.

Silence stretched for a few seconds.

Then Aaron tilted his head slightly, studying her.

“…You look worse than I feel,” he added.

“Wow,” she muttered. “That’s comforting.”

He shrugged.

Another pause.

Then his gaze sharpened a little.

“You look like someone who was kissed senseless.”

Vera didn’t react fast enough.

And that was his confirmation.

Aaron blinked once.

Then slowly sat up straighter.

“…Oh.”

Vera cursed under her breath.

He stared at her.

Then a slow grin spread across his face.

“Ohhhh,” he dragged it out, shaking his head slightly. “Oh wow. Finally.”

“Don’t start,” she warned.

“No, no, I’m starting,” he said immediately. “Because this—this is historic. Do you understand how long this has been building?”

She gave him a look. “Aaron—”

“You two have been circling each other like psychopaths with unresolved tension for how many years now?” he continued. “And it finally happened? Like this?”

“Shut up.”

“I’m impressed,” he added, ignoring her. “Genuinely impressed. I thought one of you would stab the other before this happened.”

Vera leaned back, dragging a hand over her face. “I hate this place.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he waved it off. “Details later. Was it good?”

She stared at him.

“You’re actually asking me that?”

“I’m curious.”

“You’re insane.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “You’re annoying.”

“And you didn’t deny it,” he pointed out.

She shot him a look.

He smirked.

“Exactly.”

Vera leaned forward slightly. “Should we talk about you instead?”

That wiped the grin off his face faster than expected.

“…What about me?” he asked carefully.

She raised a brow.

“Really?”

He held her gaze.

“You’re going to pretend with me?” she continued. “In this situation? Seriously?”

His expression tightened slightly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Vera let out a short laugh. “That’s cute.”

“It’s not cute.”

“So nothing is going on with the second lookalike devil?” she asked casually.

Aaron went still.

For a second too long.

And that was all she needed.

“Oh my God,” she muttered, sitting back. “You’re actually worse than me.”

“I am not worse than you.”

“You are,” she said immediately. “At least I’m not pretending.”

“I’m not pretending,” he snapped.

She gave him a look.

He held it.

Then looked away first.

“…It’s not like that,” he said.

Vera tilted her head. “So what is it like?”

He didn’t answer.

“Exactly,” she said.

He exhaled sharply. “He’s just… annoying.”

Vera blinked.

Then laughed.

“Annoying?” she repeated. “That’s what we’re calling it now?”

“He is annoying,” Aaron insisted. “Bossy. Controlling. Thinks he knows everything—”

“Sounds familiar,” she cut in.

He paused.

“…Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Compare me to you.”

She smiled slightly. “Too late.”

He shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

Then after a second—

“He left me,” Aaron said quietly.

The tone shift was immediate.

Vera didn’t joke this time.

“I heard,” she replied.

“He told me to stay,” he continued. “Like I’m one of his men. Like I don’t get a say.”

She watched him.

“He said I’d slow him down,” Aaron added, jaw tightening slightly.

Vera leaned back, studying him properly now.

“And that bothered you?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said immediately.

She nodded slowly.

“Not because it’s not true sometimes,” she added.

He shot her a look.

“But because of how he said it,” she finished.

Aaron didn’t respond.

Which was an answer.

Before she could say anything else—

The door opened.

Both of them turned.

Lina stepped in.

And stopped.

The moment she saw Vera, everything in her expression shifted.

Vera didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Just looked at her.

Alive.

Standing there.

Breathing.

It still didn’t sit right.

Aaron straightened slightly, his earlier mood snapping into something more alert.

“…this still feels so unreal,” he said quietly.

Lina glanced at him briefly, then back at Vera.

“I wasn’t sure if I should come inside,” she said.

Vera let out a small, humorless breath. “You’re already inside”

Silence.

Uncomfortable.

Lina took a cautious step forward. “I know you’re angry.”

“That’s one word for it,” Vera replied.

Aaron leaned back slightly, watching the two of them like he was witnessing something he didn’t want to interrupt.

“I didn’t have a choice,” Lina continued.

Vera’s eyes sharpened. “There’s always a choice.”

“Not in that place,” Lina said quietly.

That made Vera pause.

Just for a second.

Enough for something to shift—but not disappear.

“You should’ve told me,” Vera said.

“I couldn’t,” Lina replied. “Not without putting everything at risk.”

“And letting me believe you were my friend wasn’t a risk?” Vera shot back.

Lina flinched slightly.

Aaron’s gaze flicked between them.

“…Okay,” he muttered under his breath. “This is above my pay grade.”

Neither of them looked at him.

Vera held Lina’s gaze.

“I mourned you,” she said quietly.

Lina swallowed.

“I know.”

“You don’t,” Vera replied. “You weren’t there.”

Silence again.

Then Lina took another step closer.

“I’m here now,” she said.

Vera didn’t respond.

But she didn’t walk away either.

And for now—

That was enough.

Aaron exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his face. “…Yeah, I’m definitely not getting involved in this part.”

Vera shot him a look.

He raised both hands slightly. “I can fight people. I can’t fix whatever this is.”

Despite everything—

That almost made her laugh.

Almost.