Sophia didn’t reply immediately. Instead she crossed the threshold, easing the door shut behind her.

“I can’t go on acting like everything’s normal,” she said, her voice unsteady yet laced with resolve.

Julian rose to his feet, eyes narrowing. 

 

“What exactly do you mean?”

Sophia’s heart slammed against her ribs, but she pressed forward.  

“This—whatever we’re doing. It’s spiraling out of hand. I received a cryptic message, and now you’re behaving as though nothing’s amiss. But I can feel it: something’s wrong.”

Julian advanced, his stare shadowed and impenetrable. 

“I already said I’d deal with it,” he murmured, voice pitched low and edged with warning.

 “You don’t need to concern...