Novel's POV

After Viktor led Emilia from the room, the silence left behind felt heavy and suffocating. Alexei turned to me, his brow furrowed with a suspicion he couldn't quite hide.

“What were you two really talking about?” he asked.

I forced a small, practiced smile, trying to keep my voice steady. “Nothing for you to worry about, Alex. Just girls talk.”

“Really? Because I can tell when you’re lying to me, Novel.” He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine.

I looked away. I couldn't tell him, not yet. He wouldn't believe that Viktor, his closest confidant, was a snake in the grass. I had no proof, no evidence that...