جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 90

(Amara)I watch as Rayner walks away with Stella wrapped around his arm, and something inside me tightens slowly, painfully.His words replay in my head.The apology.The way he made me say it.But somehow, that isn’t even what hurts the most.It’s her.The way she clings to him like he is her lifeline. The way her eyes glow with quiet victory. That look alone tells me everything I need to know.My words meant nothing.Being his “precious PA” meant nothing.A dry laugh almost leaves me, but I swallow it down. For a second, I nearly lift my hand to my face, tempted to snap myself out of these thoughts, out of this moment that refuses to let me breathe.I was foolish.I thought I mattered.I thought maybe he liked having me around as his PA. That was why he never let me go all this time.But of course I was wrong. I let the fact that he never let me quit make me think I mattered.What was I expecting? That even for a second he was going to support me over his girlfriend?Because I thoug

(Isha)My eyes stay locked on my phone.Refresh. Nothing.Again and still nothing.My chest tightens a little more each time the screen loads empty, like I’m waiting for something that should have come by now.“What are you checking so tensely like this?”Stella’s voice cuts through my thoughts.I jerk slightly, quickly pulling my phone behind me, forcing a small smile onto my lips.“Is there anything you want me to help you with?” I ask, changing the topic before she can look too closely.“Yes,” she says, dropping onto the bed beside me. Her face lights up instantly. “Let’s go for dinner.”“Sounds good,” I reply.“But with Rayner.”My smile fades before I can stop it.“Rayner?” I repeat. “I thought you both went out yesterday.”“Yeah,” she pouts. “But I miss him already. And besides…” She flicks her hand dismissively. “It was interrupted by some trash, so we didn’t even enjoy it properly.”“Some trash?” I echo, confused.She waves it off like it’s nothing. “Never mind.”Then she turns

(Amara)The air feels tight around me, like it’s pressing into my lungs.I barely notice the figures approaching. My heart is too loud, too fast.Rayner has seen us.Finally.A truth I have been carefully hiding for weeks now, exposed in the worst way possible.Maya’s fingers curl around mine, trembling slightly, but I don’t let it shake me. I tighten my grip instead and lift my chin, locking eyes with him.If he knows… then let him know fully.Let him see that nothing changes.I expect something. A question. A reaction.But he says nothing.His gaze moves between Maya and me, slow, measured. Almost like he is trying to piece things together.Or… maybe he hasn’t.A flicker of hope stirs in me.Maybe he doesn’t recognize her. He only saw her once at the mall. It was brief.A small, dangerous excitement creeps in.But just as quickly, it dies.Because this is Rayner.He’s one to notice everything and hardly forgets things.I know that better than anyone because I’ve been working for him

(Isha)It has been a while since Nathan excused himself.And now… even Amara isn’t back.My breath hitches, my thoughts spiraling before I can stop them.Could they be—No.But the image forms anyway, sharp and unwanted.My chest tightens.I rise abruptly. “I need to use the restroom.”“Hmm… is there something interesting going on tonight, or is everyone suddenly best friends with the restroom?” Stella says after me, her voice laced with suspicion.I turn, forcing a cheeky smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “Relax. I’ll be back.”Then I walk away.The moment I am out of sight, my steps quicken. My heart pounds harder with every second, my mind racing ahead of me.Please don’t let it be what I’m thinking.Where could they even be?I turn the corner leading to the restroom—And freeze.Nathan.He is standing there.Moving toward Amara.Instinct takes over. I slip behind the wall, pressing my back against it, holding my breath. My heart is pounding so loudly in my chest, I’m sure I could

(Amara)My eyes move from Maya to Rita, then down to the phone in her hand.The tension builds too fast.Before I can stop myself, my hand jerks. The bottle tips over.Water spills.Straight onto Rita’s phone. Her food.The sudden rush of it sends a ripple across the table as I shoot to my feet.“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”“My phone!” Rita exclaims at the same time, her voice clashing with mine.Chairs scrape. Hands move everywhere at once. Maya grabs napkins, Olivia reaches for the bottle, someone lifts the plate.“I’m really sorry,” I repeat, my voice tighter now. “My hand slipped.”“It’s fine,” Rita says, though she’s already checking her phone.“Yeah, it happens,” Olivia adds lightly. “Don’t feel bad. We were almost done eating anyway, right?”“Right,” their voices echo one by one.I nod quickly, my eyes darting over them, barely seeing anyone.“I’ll just… excuse me.”I don’t wait for a response. I turn and walk away.Fast.Before anyone can stop me.Before anyone can ask questions