_Leah's POV_
“There’s a problem,” Tariq said and stepped closer with a frown. “My mother has lost something important. It is a necklace with a key pendant. She never takes it off, yet it has gone missing.” His gaze sharpened on me as if searching my face for clues.
My heart pounded in my chest. The taste of fear was bitter on my tongue. The necklace. I had stolen it just the day before, using the key it held to access the chest in Tariq’s secret room. I had no intention of keeping it but had needed it desperately to learn the truth about Tariq. Now, while hearing him mention its disappearance, I forced myself to remain calm and to keep my face neutral.
I swallowed, carefully holding his gaze, and nodded. “Oh? That sounds terrible.” I kept my voice soft, doing my best to sound surprised.
