Viya's POV
I felt someone move closer beside me.
Sophia leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Gotta say, your boyfriend shuts down rumors pretty quickly. He's not giving you any chance to get jealous."
I bit my lip, wishing I could tell her the truth about our complicated relationship, but I held my tongue.
Despite Caesar's clear rejection, Amber stayed, sliding gracefully into the room. The atmosphere shifted subtly, an undercurrent of tension rippling beneath forced smiles.
Caesar appeared oblivious, lounging on the sofa and briefly eyeing Sophia before turning his attention to his phone, thumbs moving across the screen.
I guessed he was texting Hawkins.
I deliberately avoided sitting near Lucius, instead pulling Sophia toward a corner sofa.
Darren, ever the so
