The moment Kya stepped back into the hallway, Sebastian’s voice rose behind her.
“Ry, wait—!”
She didn’t turn around. She didn’t want to. Her heart was pounding, her breath uneven, and the last thing she needed was Julian seeing her shaken.
But Sebastian stumbled after her, louder this time.
“Rylee!”
That name froze her.
A few diners turned their heads. A waiter paused mid‑step. The soft piano music from the dining room suddenly felt too quiet.
Before Kya could react, a tall figure stepped between them.
Dorian Hale.
He moved with the kind of calm authority that made people instinctively step aside. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, assessing the situation in a single glance.
He positioned himself in front of Kya, shielding her completely.
“Sir,” Dorian said
