Cecilia's pov
My blood ran cold.
The cozy little world we'd been wrapped in vanished, popped like a soap bubble, leaving me exposed and chilled to the bone.
"You two..." Her gaze dropped to our joined hands, and the perfectly polished facade cracked--just enough to show the storm behind her eyes.
She looked like she was seconds from crying, but too proud to let it happen.
I reflexively started to pull my hand away.
Sebastian didn't let go.
His grip tightened, quiet but firm. I glanced up at him, surprised--and then, almost without thinking, I squeezed back.
It didn't fix anything. But it helped.
Sebastian turned to Amara, his voice like ice. "How did you get in?"
Amara didn't get a chance to answer.
Liam appeared in the doorway from the balcony, looking mildly out of breath and
