Alethea

As I rush out the door, Harvey notices my distress and quickly follows, his footsteps matching my hurried pace.

“Alethea, what’s wrong? You don’t look so good.”

I glance at him for a second, debating whether to let him in. But I can’t.

He was just a distraction, someone I used to get back at Asher. And yet, Harvey is starting to care. He’s taking this further than I ever intended.

I shake my head. “It’s a family emergency. I have to go.”

He studied me for a moment, his expression skeptical, but he didn’t push. Instead, he walks beside me—just like he did yesterday—until I manage to hail...