A heavy silence hung in the air as Ryder stood there, eyes locked on the three of them, each frozen in place. The hallway felt colder, narrower like the walls themselves were inching closer to collapse.
Ruby’s heart thudded violently in her chest, her lips parting but no words came. Logan stepped forward, shielding her instinctively, his jaws clenched.
Ryder’s eyes flickered with disbelief, his gaze dropped to Logan’s hand still protectively around Ruby’s waist and slowly, realization dawned like a jagged knife carving through his soul.
“Logan…” his voice came low and guttural.
He did not want to believe what he had just heard and seen.
Logan looked back at him. His mouth tightened, he didn’t want to confirm it but he wouldn’t lie either. Not anymore, he straightened his shoulders, st
