The door opens.
And I don’t look.
I heard them coming down the path minutes ago — the gravel always gives them away — but I keep my gaze on the trees like I’m deeply invested in a leaf moving in the wind.
Footsteps enter behind me.
They’re waiting for a reaction.
I don’t give one.
I lean my chin into my palm and swing my foot lazily off the step.
Silence stretches.
“…Angel,” Alex tries.
Max huffs softly behind me. “That bad, huh.”
I adjust the sleeve of my pyjama top like it suddenly needs my full attention.
Enzo shifts somewhere to my right. Francesco mutters something under his breath in Italian. Cassian doesn’t say anything — I can feel him watching.
Let them.
Lucas and Gabriel retreat toward the railing, clearly entertained. Kai folds his arms, already knowing what I’m doi
