Lucas’s eyes were still locked on me, sharp, searching, cutting through every lie I tried to form in my throat. His hands were still hovering near my neck like he wasn’t sure whether to touch me again or afraid he might hurt me more.
The silence felt too loud.
The wind blew across the balcony, brushing my hair over my shoulder, brushing over the bruises I was desperately trying to hide.
He stepped closer, voice low, heavy, unsteady.
“Avela,” he said again, “what the hell happened?”
My heartbeat jumped, pounding so hard I could hear it. I swallowed, trying to force my expression into something calm, something normal, something that didn’t look like fear.
“I think we should probably go back to the party,” I said, my voice thin. “Before they start wondering where we went.”
I tried to w
