Then, suddenly, the sharp ring of Hazel's phone shattered the moment. She flinched, blinking as if waking from a trance, her pulse still racing in her ears.
She stared down at her phone screen—it was Riley calling.
"Riley... my best friend is calling," Hazel stammered, her voice trembling slightly.
Vladimir slowly leaned back in his seat, turning his face toward the window. The cool detachment in his movement made her chest tighten.
Hazel quickly swiped to answer.
"Riley—"
"The hell, Hazel! Where are you? It's late!" Riley's panicked voice burst through the speaker.
Hazel froze, her gaze flicking toward the cold man beside her. She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice.
"I just got off work... we were all working on a project," she murmured, her words quiet and hesitant. "I'm on my way home now."
Riley let out a long, relieved sigh.
"That's good. Just—be careful, okay?" she said, her tone softening.
