Lydia couldn't feel her hands.
Her breath came in sharp, ragged pulls as the video replayed again on the massive screen — Jaden, gun in hand, standing over a man who dropped to his knees before the sound of gunfire echoed through the alley.
Her voice trembled. "Jaden… what did you do?"
Jaden moved closer, his jaw tight, his eyes a storm. "It's not what it looks like."
"Then what is it?" Lydia's voice cracked. "Because right now, it looks like I've been sleeping next to a killer."
"Stop it." His tone hardened, but there was a flash of pain behind his eyes. "That video—she manipulated it. Cassandra's capable of twisting anything. You can't believe what you see."
Lydia stepped back, refusing to let her tears fall. "Then show me proof! Tell me something that makes sense, Jaden! Because I can't keep defending a man who won't even defend himself with the truth!"
He raked a hand through his hair, pacing. "You don't understand how deep this goes. That man—he was part of a deal that went south. Cassandra ordered the hit. I tried to stop it, Lydia. But when I got there, it was too late. She's using that footage to destroy me."
Lydia's chest tightened. Every word sounded half-true, half-lie — and that uncertainty was killing her.
"So she's framing you?"
"Yes." He took a step toward her, his voice softening. "Everything I've done since meeting you has been to keep you safe from her. You think I'd risk everything — my name, my freedom — just to hurt you?"
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
She wanted to believe him — God, she did — but the images on the screen refused to fade.
"I don't know what to believe anymore," she whispered.
He reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
Jaden's face fell, just slightly. "Lydia…"
But before he could say more, his phone buzzed violently on the table. The name flashing on the screen made both of them freeze.
CASSANDRA.
He picked it up slowly, staring at the name as if it were poison.
"Don't," Lydia warned. "It could be a trap."
"I know," he muttered — and still answered.
The voice that came through was smooth and mocking.
"Hello, Jaden. Did you enjoy the premiere? I edited that clip myself — I think it turned out beautifully."
Jaden's grip on the phone tightened. "What do you want?"
"Oh, nothing much," Cassandra purred. "Just a little reunion. You, me… and Lydia, of course. She deserves to hear the truth from both of us, don't you think?"
Lydia's stomach twisted. "What is she talking about?"
Cassandra continued, her tone almost playful. "Midnight. The old pier. Come alone — or the next video I release won't be so merciful."
The line went dead.
Jaden stood still for a moment, eyes dark. Then he looked up at Lydia. "I have to go."
"You're not going alone," she said firmly.
"Yes, I am."
"Jaden—"
He stepped forward and cupped her face gently. "Lydia, if she sees you with me, she'll use you as leverage. I can't risk that. Stay here. Please."
She shook her head, her heart breaking all over again. "And if you don't come back?"
He gave a faint, bittersweet smile. "Then at least you'll know I tried to make things right."
And before Lydia could stop him, he grabbed his coat and walked out into the night.
The door shut softly — and she stood there, surrounded by silence and the faint echo of Cassandra's laughter from the phone.
Lydia wiped her tears, her expression hardening.
"No," she whispered. "Not this time."
She turned, opened the drawer where Jaden kept his spare keys — and picked up his car key.
If Jaden was walking into danger, she wasn't going to let him face it alone.