From his upstairs bedroom balcony, Ryan watched the scene unfolding below with narrowed eyes. His brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of jealousy passing through him as he observed their interaction. The way they smiled at each other, the comfortable closeness, it tugged at something he didn’t quite want to name. But then, he remembered his plan. His lips curved into a sly smirk. With renewed confidence, he turned back into his room, heading toward the couch like a man with a mission.
As Cleo reached the second floor, Thomas made his way back out toward the compound, his steps purposeful but unhurried.
“I’m coming,” Ryan called out from inside the room, his voice calm and measured as he heard the knock on the door. He was still shirtless, his bare chest rising and falling with eac
