Nathan Halstead stood at the entrance.
His presence shifted the room immediately.
Eyes moved to him.
Postures straightened.
Breaths held.
His gaze scanned the space quickly—
Then landed on me.
On the red mark rising across my cheek.
Something changed in his expression.
Fast.
Subtle.
But undeniable.
Confusion.
Recognition.
And then—
Understanding.
Vanessa stepped toward him without hesitation.
“She crossed a line,” she said quickly, pointing at me. “She drank your water like she—”
Nathan didn’t look at her.
Not once.
His attention stayed on me.
And in a voice that made the entire room feel smaller—
