Serenya's POV
The city lights fade behind us as Darian’s car hums along the highway.
It’s quiet inside, just the low sound of the engine and the steady rhythm of his fingers tapping on the steering wheel. I lean my head against the window.
The gala, the music, the faces, and all of it feels far away now. Darian hasn’t said much since we left. He never pushes for words I can’t give, and that silence feels safe.
Suddenly, a flicker of movement in the rearview mirror catches my eye. Headlights. Too fast. I blink, watching as one car swerves across two lanes. My stomach tightens. I tap Darian’s arm and point to the mirror.
He glances up just in time. The car jerks again, tires screeching. Another driver honks, swerving aside. The car steadies, then slows, its lights shrinking behind us.
