Reya’s POV
I froze. My hands stopped moving. I hadn’t heard the rumors. Too caught up in my duties, in keeping my head down. But there they were—like slow poison—slipping through the cracks.
“I don’t care what she says,” I replied, a bit too fast. “It’s all nonsense.”
“Is it?” he asked gently, reaching out to hold my hand. “Dr. Aurelia, I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt someone. Ever.”
I looked at him, his eyes filled with such honesty it made my chest ache. The anger I felt toward Liana faded slightly, replaced by something warm and comforting.
“Thank you, Liam,” I whispered.
He smiled faintly and gave my hand a small squeeze. Something unspoken passed between us in that moment. A quiet understanding.
But the door creaked open—and the air shifted.
Lucien stepped in, pausing
