25. Her Life Changed Completely

That was the last time Lyla saw Carlo three years ago.

Now, sitting at a café near the entrance of Westhaven College, where she now teaches, Lyla cradled a cup of hot latte, her mind far away. Hudson had offered to pick her up and take her to the location Carlo had designated, but she refused. She chose this café, right across the campus entrance. Three years ago, Carlo had vanished from her life without a trace, leaving her to wrestle with self-doubt and confusion, trapped in a cycle of pain and desire in her dreams.

Three years later, she would not let him hold that power over her again.

Lyla often found herself replaying memories of their time together. She couldn’t forget the day after Carlo’s abrupt departure when she locked herself in her dorm room all day, refusing to face the world. But eventually, she had to attend her evening lecture. Walking into the classroom, she was met with the heated buzz of gossip.

"Did you hear? Jessica killed someone."

“Killed someone? When did this