His Dangerous Truth
He does not get to ask for private understanding, then walk back into the world where Celeste Carrington is waiting beside his name.
Julian presses his thumb hard into the edge of his notebook until the corner bends.
The door opens behind him.
“Before you bite my head off,” Evan says, “I came in peace.”
Julian does not turn. “That was peace?”
“That was restraint.”
“You embarrassed me.”
“No.” Evan comes to stand beside him, shoulder against the wall, voice quieter now. “He embarrassed you by acting like he had a claim he has not earned.”
The words hit too close.
Julian looks down at the notebook in his hand. “He does not have a claim.”