Chapter 57 : Duty Calls II
Al's POV
The study looked like chaos had taken human form and decided to stay awhile.
Scrolls lay unfurled over the table like wounded wings, parchment corners curling under the weight of age. Digital tablets blinked with glowing maps, their light spilling over stacks of open folders and scrawled notes. Jayla sat in the middle of it all, a storm contained in one body—hair tied in a messy knot, sleeves rolled up, eyes sharp enough to slice through exhaustion.
When I stepped inside, she didn’t look surprised. Just slightly amused, like she’d counted the seconds until I showed up.
“I need your help,” I said, crossing the threshold.
She arched a brow, her lips quirking. “You always do.”
Despite everything, I chuckled. “This time, I mean it. I want everything—m
