บททั้งหมดของ His Tears, My Freedom : บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

Claudia’s POVThe photo glows on Aurelia’s phone screen — Lior leaning in, Lila’s face half-turned toward him, too close, too soft. I stare at it for a moment, the corner of my mouth lifting. “Now that,” I murmur, “is a brilliant capture. You really have an eye for timing, Aurelia.”She exhales sharply, restless. “I didn’t take it for art, Claudia. I took it to show you what’s happening right under our noses.”I can hear the anger simmering in her voice, the kind that burns without direction. She turns as if to storm off, but I move faster. My fingers close around her wrist, firm enough to stop her, not enough to hurt. “And what do you think you’re planning to do?” I whisper, low and sharp, because there are some moves you don’t make on impulse.She rips her hand out of mine like I’ve burned her. “I’m done standing by and watching,” she snaps, breath sharp. “Can’t you see what’s going on? Your plan failed again. I thought you said if Liam came he’d take her back with him. But look—” S

Lila’s POVThe morning sun spills lazily across the path as Maren and I make our way toward the game area—the same spot where everyone played yesterday. The air smells faintly of salt and hibiscus, warm and sweet against my skin. Everything looks normal, but nothing feels normal anymore.Not after last night.Maren walks beside me quietly, her gaze flicking toward me every few steps. I can feel the weight of her curiosity pressing against the silence.Then she finally speaks, her voice low and uncertain.“Lila… where did you go last night?”I freeze. My breath catches before I can steady it.“What?” I manage, my tone too sharp, too quick.Maren stops walking, and I stop too.“Come to think of it,” she says, frowning slightly, “after you excused yourself from dinner, you weren’t seen again. And you came back to the room really late.” Her tone tightens. “So, where did you go?”My pulse skitters.I can’t believe she noticed. She was asleep when I slipped in—or at least, I thought she was

Lila’s POVAurelia’s voice drifts through the chatter.“So, about those tickets to Italy…”I scoff inwardly, biting back a laugh that isn’t funny at all. I can’t believe she’s talking about that right now. Trying to secure her territory already? She’s not even grateful that I let her join our team, and now she’s trying to push me aside? Well, what should I expect from someone who’d do anything to keep her supposed lover wrapped around her finger— a woman who sees affection as a prize, not something earned.I roll my eyes to the ground. Anyway, what will I even be doing in Italy? The thought sits bitter on my tongue. It’s better if the both of them go together. At least that way, I’ll have fewer problems for myself—if only for a little while.Before Aurelia can finish her sentence, I cut in, my tone calm but sharp enough to slice through her syrupy voice. “You don’t have to worry about me,” I say, forcing a light smile. “I don’t have any interest in traveling anyway.”Her eyes flicker,

Lila’s POV“How do you feel now?” Lior asks, straightening to his full height. His hand lingers in the air for a moment, the faint scent of ointment still between us. He’d just finished rubbing the cool balm across my skin, his touch careful, deliberate, before pressing the pain relief patch over the bruise on my leg. The sting has dulled, warmth spreading slowly in its place.“I…” My voice trails off as I nod instead, keeping my eyes low. I can’t look at him yet. My chest feels too tight for that.But when I finally raise my gaze, the sound of footsteps fills the space. The rest of the group is returning, their laughter echoing down the path. At the front of them—Aurelia. Her expression freezes mid-step, eyes locking onto us. Her face is tense, unreadable, but her gaze sharpens like she’s piecing something together she doesn’t want to believe.A small silence stretches between us before Maren and the others dart their eyes between Lior and me. My throat tightens. “I… I had hit my leg

Lila’s POV“Seriously, Maren,” I mutter, glancing down at her hand looped around my arm, “you don’t need to hold me like some sick patient. I can definitely walk on my own. See?”I take a step forward, forcing a small grin to prove my point, but Maren just shakes her head.“Then you shouldn’t have allowed yourself to get hurt in the first place.”Her voice sounds heavier than usual, edged with something like pain.I scoff, rolling my eyes.“Not like anyone plans to get themselves hurt on purpose. I slipped by accident, that’s all.”“And you expect me to believe that?” she says, tilting her head, her tone sharpening. “You really don’t have to tell me. But I can already guess Aurelia had something to do with it.”I stop mid-step, my breath catching as I look at her.“Don’t give me that look, Lila,” Maren continues, her eyes narrowing knowingly. “I can see everything, you know.”So she knows about Aurelia?But how—The thought alone makes my stomach twist. A thin wave of fear rushes thro