Elleri stumbled back, landing on the cement with a sharp breath. Her lips parted in shock at Raphael’s action.
"You’re all the same."
She snapped her gaze to him, catching the simmering anger in his eyes. There was something deeper behind it—something unresolved.
"Are you okay?" Adrian asked, concern lacing his voice as he stepped forward and offered his hand.
Elleri glanced up at him before nodding, accepting his help to stand. She dusted herself off and turned back to Raphael.
"You should get your fo—"
"Why are you so damn persistent?" Raphael cut her off, frustration boiling over. "I said I can handle myself!"
Elleri exhaled through her nose, resisting the urge to argue further. "Fine." Her voice was firm. She pivoted to Raphael’s two friends, who hesitated behind him, ready to h
