The silence that followed was thick, weighted with words left unsaid. Damien and Maya exchanged a subtle glance, the kind that spoke volumes without words—silent understanding threading between them.
Dahlia raised a single eyebrow, her sharp gaze never leaving the two of them. Her lips twitched with amusement, but her mind was alert, calculating. She had lived long enough, seen enough people hide truths behind masks. She could tell when something—or someone—wasn’t being fully honest.
Then, with deliberate timing, she dropped the bombshell. “So… does that mean you’re finally going to face Hiro?”
Harper froze, her jaw slackening, eyes widening in stunned disbelief. She hadn’t expected Dahlia to bring that up. The words struck like a jolt, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Ashcroft blin
