Arielle’s POV
I walked across the campus, dragging my feet, each step heavier than the last. My eyes stung from lack of sleep, and the weight in my chest refused to lift. Last night, I’d barely closed my eyes because my mind wouldn’t stop replaying his voice—Cassian’s confession.
I love you.
Those words kept echoing inside me like a melody I never wanted to stop hearing. Even when Mom and Soraya came home from work, I had to bite my lip to hide my smile. I couldn’t stop stealing glances at him when no one was looking. It felt so unreal—too good.
I’d even spent half the night on my phone, searching online for hidden romantic spots, imagining us sneaking away like any other couple. Places where no one would judge us, where no one would see him as my stepfather, just as a man in love with
