Author's POV
Outside the private room, Sophia gently examined the red mark blooming on Viya's hand, her face twisted with concern.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, turning Viya's hand over carefully. "We should stop at a pharmacy for some cream. I can't believe you just stood there and let her hit you when you could have easily dodged it."
"Getting slapped made a better impression," Viya explained quietly.
Sophia fell silent, staring at her friend with a mixture of admiration and heartbreak.
Viya caught the look and bit her lip. "Do you think I'm too calculating?" she asked hesitantly, her voice suddenly vulnerable. "Manipulating the situation like that?"
"You i***t," Sophia burst out, her eyes welling with tears. "I'm not judging you—I'm hurting for you! It kills me that you
