Eliza's POV
The door swung open, and my stomach dropped when I saw who stood on the threshold. My father, David, with his usual stern expression, and Nikolai right behind him, tall and composed, his dark eyes sweeping over the room. Every muscle in my body tensed, and I instinctively took a step back, only to bump into Cavin, who stiffened behind me.
"Dad…?" My voice barely left my throat. What were they doing here? Why now?
David's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene—Cavin standing far too close to me, his body a protective barrier. The tension in the room spiked, so thick I could hardly breathe.
"What's going on in here?" my father asked, his voice sharp and demanding. He didn't even glance at me. His gaze was locked on Cavin, suspicion clear in his eyes.
Cavin, ever t
