Rich’s POV
The streets blurred past my windows, but my mind wasn’t on the road. It was on her. Maze.
The way she smiled just now—so calm, so soft… too calm. Like a goodbye disguised as understanding. Damn it.
I slammed the brakes a little too hard as I reached Solène’s place. Her message kept replaying in my mind:
“I need you, Rich. I’m scared… please come. You’re the only one I trust.”
I knew how manipulative she could be, but still—I had to see. Just once. Just to know. I took the elevator, jaw clenched. By the time I knocked on her door, my heart was already heavy with guilt.
The door swung open.
And there she was.
Tears streaked down her cheeks, her arm in a sling, bruises on her legs—real or makeup, I couldn’t tell.
But her expression?
All wrong. There was no fear. No panic
