Anana was shocked when her name rang out, clear and sharp, cutting through the quiet like a blade.
Her heart stuttered in her chest.
She turned sharply, so quickly, the twist of motion betraying her injured ankle. It gave out beneath her with a sharp jolt of pain. She tilted and her arms flailed to catch balance, but before she could hit the ground…
Strong hands caught her.
The man who had called her stepped forward in a blur, his arms wrapping gently but firmly around her elbows, steadying her.
Their eyes locked.
For a moment, it felt like time had slowed.
Anana gave a faint, unsure smile and immediately broke out of his grip. She muttered a soft, “Thank you.”
The man studied her for a beat. He said nothing at first, his gaze unreadable.
Then, in one smooth motion, he removed h
