"Wait for me outside," Julian said suddenly, not even bothering to explain anything.
Lunessa froze.
She was still trying to process his earlier words, her thoughts tangled and slow, her body refusing to move.
"Now," he added.
His voice was still low but this time, there was an edge to it. Sharp enough to make her flinch.
The room seemed to press in around her again.
She blinked, once, then twice, before finally nodding slightly.
"Okay."
Her fingers loosened from his sleeve, slipping away slowly as if she hadn't quite realized she was still holding onto him.
For a brief second, she hesitated. Her gaze flicked toward Maria, still kneeling and shaking, then back to Julian.
But he wasn't looking at her anymore. That alone was enough.
Lunessa turned and walked toward the exit, each step feeling heavier than it should have.
"Please, Miss Lunessa—"
Maria's desperate voice stopped her mid-step.
Lunessa turned back instinctively.
At that exact moment, Julian moved.
