_Leah's POV_
I waited until Tariq’s breathing deepened. His body relaxed beside me as he drifted into sleep. I lay still, heart pounding, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. Every instinct told me to run, but I knew I needed to be cautious. Moving slowly, I slid my hand under my pillow and pulled out the old leather-bound diary.
The weight of the book in my hands felt heavy, almost as if it were pulsing with dark secrets. I slipped out of bed, careful not to make a sound, and crept toward the bathroom. Once inside, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, breathing heavily. The only light came from the dim bulb overhead. It was casting a soft glow over the room. I placed the diary on the bathroom sink. My fingers brushed over its worn cover. That strange symbol embo
