LAUREN'S POV

I glanced at Roman, then back at Cassandra. The slow, careful steps she took toward the door made it obvious she was about to bolt. Her shoulders stiffened, and her breathing changed, shallow and sharp. It was the kind of posture you only saw in someone calculating a desperate escape.

 For a split second, I froze. The air in the room felt tense, heavy like the calm before a storm. The faint ticking of the wall clock was the only sound that echoed through the silence. I could see Roman’s expression from the corner of my eye composed, almost too calm. He didn’t move an inch.

 Before any...