ARIANA

My heart sank, and my body went rigid, unable to process the scene before me. A whirlwind of emotions surged within me—confusion, hurt, anger—all crashing together like waves in a storm. The bitter taste of betrayal filled my mouth as I watched them, their shadows tangled in the dim light.

Skyler’s gaze flickered toward me, her lips curling in a smug smile, and she didn’t even attempt to hide her satisfaction. She wanted me to see this, to feel the sting of seeing Grayson’s loyalty slip through my fingers. She wanted me to hurt.

Grayson finally broke away, his head turning slightly as he sensed my presence. When he...