Freda’s POV

As Andre approached, my heart started to race. I tried to act casual, pretending not to notice him, but it was impossible to ignore his presence. The once carefree atmosphere suddenly felt suffocating, and I couldn't shake off the discomfort all I could think of was how Hardin would react if he found him here.

“Hi,” I replied causally, giving him the vibe of of don't want to speak with you. I could feel the weight of Hardin’s disapproval lingering in the air. The memory of his anger and hurt flashed in my mind, making me question every move I made. I felt like I was walking on...