My heart nearly stopped when I heard footsteps in the hallway.
I shoved the new necklace deeper under my collar and snatched an old book from the nearest shelf. My hands would not stop shaking. Every single second I wore this fake chain felt like walking on broken glass with bare feet. One wrong move, one suspicious look from David, and this whole careful game would come crashing down around me.
The library door opened. Marcus stepped inside and closed it fast behind him. His eyes locked on mine with raw urgency.
“Clara,” he said, voice low and rough. “We need to talk right now.”
I stood up so fast the book fell from my lap and hit the floor with a thud. “Did he see you come in here? Tell me the truth.”
“Not yet.” Marcus crossed the room in three long steps and pulled me into his arms
