Chapter 165: Running Away

LIANA

I lounged around in Zaylen's bedroom, absentmindedly flipping through a book I found on his nightstand.

The room felt warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the cool night outside.

Just as I started to lose myself in the pages, I heard the door creak open.

I looked up to see Zaylen stepping inside, his expression a mix of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place.

"Hey," I greeted him with a smile, closing the book. "Why do you look surprised? Did you forget I said I would be waiting for you?"

Zaylen chuckled lightly, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, kinda."

Immediately, I could tell something was off. His usual confidence seemed shaken, and there was a tension in his shoulders that hadn't been there when he left the house.

I put the book aside and got up, crossing the room to stand in front of him.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, searching his face for any hints. "Did something happen?"

Zaylen sighed deeply, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of frust