My gaze drifted between them, uncertainty clawing at me from all sides. I pressed my lips together, then bit down lightly, my thoughts tangled and restless. Every instinct in me felt cornered, like I was being pushed toward a bond I hadn't chosen, one that didn't belong to me.
Beside me, Elliot remained composed, lifting his cup with quiet elegance as he sipped his tea. His thick lashes cast shadows over his eyes, hiding whatever lay beneath, sealing away the sharpness I knew was there. He looked untouched by the tension, detached, as if this entire situation had nothing to do with him.
I turned to him, just for a second.
A fleeting glance. A silent plea.
But all I saw was his calm profile, indifferent and distant, offering nothing. No interruption. No interference. No rescue.
Of course.
