~ Becca ~
I can feel it. The tension in the air isn’t subtle anymore. Stephen’s instincts are kicking in. He’s connecting dots, chasing shadows I left years ago. And I can’t ignore it. Not if I want this to work.
Jace texts me while I’m walking through the Hale gardens. You okay?
I don’t answer right away. My phone buzzes again. Becca, I mean it. You don’t have to do this alone.
I stare down at it, thumbs hovering. Part of me wants to lean on him. Part of me remembers what he doesn’t know—the full truth. And I can’t risk him being caught in the middle.
I type back finally. I got this.
The truth? I don’t. But I’ve trained myself to appear like I do. Calm. In control. Untouchable.
And then I see him. Stephen. Across the courtyard. Leaning against the fountain like nothing’s wrong. Tha
