_Leah's POV_
I lay in bed, my body tense, waiting for Tariq to fall asleep. Every breath I took was shallow, my heart pounding against my ribs like it might give me away. Beside me, I could hear Tariq’s breathing slow, becoming steady and deep, signaling that he had finally drifted into sleep.
Carefully, I shifted in bed. I couldn’t afford to wake him, not now. My eyes flicked to his phone, resting on the nightstand by his side. My pulse quickened as I stretched out a trembling hand, fingers hovering over the device for a moment before I finally picked it up. It was warm from being near him.
Holding my breath, I slid out of bed, moving as quietly as I could. The room felt too quiet, the only sound the soft rustle of the sheets. My heartbeat seemed too loud, like it might betray me. But
