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The Heat of the Moment

Author: Ladybee
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-28 18:44:52

Jade

Lilian’s gaze stayed glued to Darius, her eyes wide and too focused, like seeing him had knocked the air out of her. The silence stretched, uncomfortable and strange, making my nerves spike. I cleared my throat, hoping to break the awkward tension.

"You must have seen him around Mrs. Clawson's house," I said, trying to sound casual. "She’s his mother."

Lilian blinked, breaking eye contact with Darius. “Actually, no, I… I haven’t,” she replied calmly, though there was a flicker in her eyes that betrayed her. “Once, I thought I saw a shadow built like him, but it... disappeared too fast.”

I nodded, feeling a tiny prickle of doubt but deciding not to press. I didn’t want to make things any more awkward than they already were. "Right," I said, forcing a small smile. "So, why did you stop by, Lilian?”

Her face softened, and she bent down to retrieve the file she'd dropped. “I wanted to help you with this.” She extended it to me, her hands steady. “They’re contacts I know—good people,
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