Jared frowned slightly and looked straight into my eyes, his obsidian gaze steady and sharp. It wasn't aggressive, but it felt like he was weighing every word I said, searching for cracks or hesitation. I stayed still and let the silence sit between us, calm on the surface but heavy underneath, like something shifting quietly in the space we shared.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Sure."
"Thank you, Dr. Crest." I said it simply. People like him didn't need long explanations. A single glance was often enough for those who understood the weight of quiet alliances and power.
When the food arrived, the mood softened slightly. He took a bite, then glanced at me again. "Has Ms. Stovall always been this good at hiding how capable she is?"
A small laugh slipped out before I could stop it. "You're flattering me," I said lightly. "It's just a way to keep things from getting complicated. Ashton and I were never truly aligned. Keeping this pregnancy isn't the right choice right now."
