Autumn had settled in, the night air crisp and biting. He glanced at Ashlyn, concern flickering in his eyes. She wasn’t dressed for the cold, and he didn’t want her catching a chill. Ashlyn didn’t argue, just gave a small nod.
They climbed into the car, the engine humming to life. Khalid flicked on the heater, the warmth slowly seeping into the car and chasing the chill from Ashlyn’s skin.
A small smile tugged at Ashlyn’s lips, grateful for Khalid’s thoughtfulness. It was perfect—just what she needed. They’d found their way back to each other.
Ashlyn had never dared to hope they’d find their way back to this—to each other.
Khalid pulled the car over to the side of the road, the hum of the engine fading as he turned to face Ashlyn. He took a deep breath, his expression serious but open, and began to recount his past.
Katelyn’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, her brow furrowing as she scanned the road behind them. Even though the two were out of sight, the knot of worry in her chest refused to loosen.
Vincent caught the worry in her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile. “They’ll figure it out,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “They’re not kids anymore.”
Besides, Katelyn had already laid all the cards on the table—what happened next was up to them. It would be fine.
Katelyn sighed, her fingers pressing into her temples. “I’ve done all I can,” she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “The rest is up to them.” She wasn’t one to stick her nose where it didn’t belong. But Ashlyn wasn’t just anyone—she was a close friend. Katelyn couldn’t help it—Ashlyn’s happiness mattered too much to her.
Vincent had been by Katelyn’s side long enough to know how her mind worked. She might have seemed distant, but beneath that cool exterior was a heart that cared deeply.
Vincent stayed quiet, the car rolling steadily toward the villa as the night stretched on around them.
But the moment they pulled up to the villa, both Katelyn and Vincent froze, their eyes widening in disbelief.
In the garden, Sophia found an uncommon calm, yet her presence there at midnight was troubling in its own right.
Katelyn glanced at Vincent and softly urged, “You should head inside first.”
Understanding her intentions immediately, Vincent agreed with a nod. “Alright.”
After their brief exchange, he departed. Sophia and Katelyn were the last two left in the garden.
Approaching Sophia, Katelyn’s gaze was icy as she confronted the seemingly relaxed Sophia. “You deliberately provoked that fight between Ashlyn and Khalid, correct?”
Resting her head against the swing, Sophia met Katelyn’s eyes with a slight, knowing smile. “Not exactly. Khalid and I had something before. I haven’t lied about it, have I?”
Still, Sophia’s eyes shone with a hint of venom. Katelyn couldn’t miss the cunning in those eyes.
Katelyn approached Sophia slowly.
.
.
.