Aniela stared at Orifiel’s phone like it had personally offended her. Her brows knit together, lips parting in disbelief. You left her on read… The words echoed in her head louder than the café’s soft background music.
“You left her on read,” Aniela repeated out loud, slower this time, just to make sure she wasn’t imagining it.
Orifiel flinched. “Ani—”
“No, El,” she cut in, her tone sharp but not cruel. “You don’t get to ‘Ani’ your way out of this.” She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. Poor Erelah…
Orifiel rubbed the back of his neck, sweat beading slightly at his temples. “Listen. I have to tell you something.”
Aniela tilted her head, wary. That tone never means anything good. “Sometimes the truth will set us both free, you know,” he said quietly, eyes fixed on the table
