Cassian's POV
“Are you okay? You look spaced out,” Evelyn asked as she walked toward me, her wet hair sticking to her shoulders, drops of water glistening on her skin.
I forced a short nod. “I’m fine,” I answered in a low tone.
The truth? I wasn’t. Not even close. Arielle’s reaction earlier cut through me deeper than I expected. I thought this trip would lighten her mood and give her something to smile about. But all I saw was the opposite—her eyes looked heavier, her steps slower. She’d walked away from me like I was a stranger she wanted nothing to do with, and I could do nothing about it.
I clenched my jaw and stared out at the ocean, trying to focus on anything else, but all I could picture was her back disappearing into the crowd.
“Come, dear,” Evelyn said, breaking my thoughts.
