Chapter 295
"Tomorrow. The meeting. I'm going."
"Alayna—"
"I have to." I met Dafa's eyes. "If she's really Clara, if she's really behind all of this, I need to face her. I need to understand why she's doing this."
"It's a trap."
"Maybe. But I can't keep running. I can't keep hiding. If I don't go, she'll keep sending messages. She'll keep threatening us. I need to end this."
He was quiet for a long moment. The silence stretched between us, heavy and thick. I could see the war raging behind his eyes—the soldier who wanted to protect me, and the man who knew he couldn't always be there.
Then he said, "Then I'm coming with you."
"No." I shook my head. "She said to come alone."
"I don't care what she said."
"Dafa—"
"I'm not letting you walk into danger alone." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "I'll stay hidden. I'll be close enough to protect you, but far enough that she won't see me."
