The muffled sound of Vivian's voice reached me before I entered the hallway. Her words were sharp, cutting through the stillness like shards of glass.
"I told you not to call me again," she hissed.
My steps slowed, my curiosity igniting despite the knot tightening in my chest. I pressed myself against the wall, straining to hear the conversation.
"Do you know what this will do to us? To him?" Vivian's tone wavered between anger and fear, a rare crack in her usually composed exterior.
Who was she talking to? And what could possibly rattle her like this?
The voice on the other end was inaudible, but whatever they said made her pause. Silence stretched thin and taut before she finally whispered, "I'll handle it. Just don't involve them."
The call ended abruptly, and the quiet that followed was suffocating. My mind raced, piecing together fragments of half-formed theories.
Vivian turned the corner, her eyes widening briefly when she saw me. It wasn't guilt that crossed her face—it was irritation.
"How much did you hear?" she demanded, her voice low and biting.
"Enough to know you're hiding something," I shot back, keeping my voice steady.
Her jaw tightened, her polished veneer snapping back into place. "Stay out of it, Riley. You don't know what you're talking about."
"You're right. I don't," I replied, stepping forward. "But maybe I would if you actually told me the truth."
She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could speak, Lucas's smooth drawl cut through the tension.
"Ah, ladies, am I interrupting something?"
I turned to see him leaning casually against the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"What do you want, Lucas?" Vivian snapped, her irritation now directed at him.
Lucas ignored her, his eyes locking onto mine with unsettling intensity. "Actually, I came to talk to Riley."
Vivian's gaze darted between us, her discomfort palpable. "Whatever it is, it can wait."
"Afraid not," Lucas said, stepping into the room. "This concerns everyone. Especially her."
I crossed my arms, trying to mask the unease creeping up my spine. "What do you mean?"
He smirked, the kind that always meant trouble. "Let's just say there's a storm coming, and you're right in its path."
Vivian stiffened. "Lucas—"
He raised a hand, silencing her. "Relax, Viv. I'm just here to offer a solution."
My patience snapped. "Enough with the games, Lucas. If you have something to say, say it."
His eyes gleamed, and the air grew heavier. "Fine. There's a way to make this all go away. But it'll cost you."
Vivian's sharp intake of breath echoed in the silence. "Don't you dare—"
"Quiet," Lucas said coldly, his attention never leaving me. "The truth's coming out whether you like it or not. The only question is who gets caught in the crossfire."
"What truth?" I demanded, my voice shaking despite my best efforts.
Lucas leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The kind that shatters everything."
A chill ran down my spine. Whatever he knew, it was dangerous.
"You're bluffing," I said, trying to keep my composure.
"Am I?" His grin widened. "Think about it, Riley. How much are you willing to risk for the people you care about?"
Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed behind me.
"That's enough," Miles said, his voice like steel.
Relief flooded through me as he stepped between Lucas and me, his presence a wall of protection.
"Touching," Lucas said with a mock bow. "The knight in shining armor."
"Get out," Miles growled, his fists clenched at his sides.
Lucas chuckled but didn't argue, backing toward the door. "Don't take too long to decide, Riley. Time's running out."
When he finally left, I released the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
Miles turned to me, his eyes searching mine. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, though my trembling hands betrayed me.
He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm. "You don't have to deal with this alone."
The weight of his words, his presence, almost broke me. I wanted to lean into him, to let him carry the burden I'd been struggling with for so long.
But before I could say anything, Vivian's voice cut through the moment like a knife.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Her gaze burned with suspicion and fury as she stood in the doorway, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Miles didn't move, his stance protective as he turned to face her.
"Vivian," I started, my voice weak.
But she held up a hand. "Save it. I want answers. Now."