CH.86

The tension in the air was so thick and oppressive. It felt like I was being slowly suffocated by an invisible force.

I was rooted in place, my heart hammering against my ribcage with such force I was certain Karl must be able to hear it.

His penetrating stare bored into me. Those dark eyes that I had once found so captivating were now filled with a storm of emotions I couldn't begin to decipher.

His eyes were narrowed to slits, his strong jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscles working beneath his skin.

He searched my face with an intensity that made me want to shrink away, looking for any flicker of explanation or understanding.

I could see the war of emotions raging behind his intense gaze—shock, anger, confusion, and hurt battling for dominance.

"I..." My voice faltered before I could even get a single syllable out. The words caught in my constricted throat under the weight of his scrutiny.

I sucked in a deep, shuddering breath, my chest heaving with effort as