The morning after their rooftop silence, Lily woke with a tightness in her chest. Not sadness. Not guilt.

Clarity.

She couldn’t stay reactive anymore. She had to start planning. Watching. Striking when it counted.

Leo had already made his moves. Kella wasn’t just a pawn she was a chosen accomplice. But Lily wasn’t a pawn. Not anymore.

She stepped into the sunlit dining room where Leo sat reading the papers like a bored king. He didn’t look up.

“Morning,” she said with forced sweetness.

“Mm,” he replied without lifting his head. “You’re up late.”

“I was thinking.”

“Dangerous habit.”

“Only if you’re the one being thought about.”

He looked up...