ut I felt none of it. Each step I took toward my desk was measured,

left my thoughts in turmoil, my heart in an

hat had tangled around her like a perfect, poisonous web. But I could see it , the recognition strugglin

dn't affor

een, truly seen before Selene could manipu

dows painted the marble floors in gold, a cruel rem

hm of my heels against the polished tiles, reminding myself tha

ght and precise, like the clink of

flicking toward me with that infuriating mixture of amusement and

ing the floor with that predatory preci

. Recognition hovered at the edges of his mind, bru

him feel what I had felt the day I had saved him. Make him understand tha

ered first, flawless in her tailored suit, her platinum hair catching the light as s

oney laced with venom, "I trust you've reviewed

leaving the papers before him. "And the num

a blade. "Perhaps your analysis was too harsh.

, the girl standing in the shadows, the one he had almost recog

ir," I said, my voice steady despite the tremor beneath it. "If I may,

tation barely masked by her smile. Cassian's gaz

spark of curiosity and something dee

oss from him. "Speak," he said,

rojections do not account for regional market fluctuations," I b

ector, we can mitigate risks while increa

his sharp mind absorbing every wor

ces, cross-referenced. T

f composure. "Impressive," she said lightly, almost reluctan

first time I've noticed competence," he said, his voice low, controlled.

acknowledgment was intoxicating

park grew. Recognition danced at the edges of his mind, brushing against the memories of a

elene was

girl who helped you as a child... are you sure she is t

nt, I felt my resolve waver. But then I saw it the flicker of longing in his eyes, the tiny hes

emem

new

dn't admit

ne gave a small nod to Cassian, her smile sharp as it lingered in the air.

to speak, to acknowledge, to bridge

with storm and uncertainty. "Why now?" he aske

etreat. "Because you need to remember," I said softly. "Because the truth can

chair. "You expect me to accept this... just like that? After

at me," I said firmly, "to see beyond the years, beyon

eyes never leaving mine.

a memory," I said. "And I will continue to surv

beyond the windows, oblivious to the quiet collisi

s, but toward me. A subtle movement, small, but deliberate. And in that instant, I felt th

d open. Selene entered again, her eyes flashing with

she said, voice soft, venomous, and calculated. "Do

between us faltered. And I realized, wit

d doubt, she had set a trap. And w

ything: truth or deception, love

predict which side wo