Chapter 37

Guinevere's POV

As Hayden and Shayla walked into the room, a knot tightened in my stomach, the rest of the world fading into the background. The lively chatter, the music, the clinking of glasses—all of it dulled as if a thick fog had descended over the room. My eyes locked onto them, and the question echoed in my mind: *Why do I feel this way?* But no answer came, only the intensifying sensation of unease.

No,I thought to myself, trying to suppress the growing dread.

Why is it that wherever Hayden is, Shayla isn’t far behind?

The sight of them together made something within me twist uncomfortably, but I forced myself to act normal, to pretend that I was fine. But the pretense was weak, the feeling gnawing at me from the inside out.

Julius, ever the social butterfly, was quick to approach Hayden, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Hayden!" he exclaimed, wrapping him in a warm, brotherly hug. "Look at you!"

Hayden returned the embrace, his usual stoic expression softening jus