Lumi’s POV
I shouldn’t have come here.
The thought loops, over and over again. The people here are smiling in that quiet, expensive way. Conversations still flow like this just the normal auction event.
And that doesn’t still change the fact that I feel so out of place. Not because I don’t look like I belong, but because I don’t understand this world the way they do. And standing beside Briggs?
Somehow makes it worse.
His hand is still holding mine firmly. Like he forgot to let go. Or worse, like he didn’t want to. I try to ignore it, I really do. But every time someone looks at us, it feels… louder. Like they’re not just seeing me, they’re measuring me.
And I hate that I care.
“I need the restroom,” I blurt out too fast.
Briggs didn't answer immediately, but I didn’t wait. I sli
