Releasing a quiet sigh, she took comfort in the fact that, at the very least, the ultimate disaster she had braced herself for had been avoided.
The moment he had thrown that absurd condition out there, she had blindly agreed with her eyes squeezed shut, terrified by the sound of her mother turning the doorknob.
But right at that second, she heard a click.
Aliana immediately went completely rigid, mentally preparing herself for horrified gasps, dramatic screaming, and her mother launching into a full interrogation the moment the door flew open.
But when several seconds passed, and absolutely nothing happened, confusion slowly replaced her panic.
Then came her mother's conflicted voice from outside.
"Hm? Why is the door locked?"
At that, Aliana's eyes snapped open in confusion, and that was when she realised she was no longer pinned beneath Gavriel.
