103. HUSH MELODY!

MELODY’S POV “Everything’s been settled, Mel. I don’t understand why you decided to squat with that bastard when you have a place. Did I do something wrong?” Jensen’s voice was sharp, but there was a flicker of worry beneath it. She exhaled heavily, dropping the water bottle onto the table with a soft thud. I avoided her eyes, staring down at my hands instead. “It’s not that… I thought he was kind, and—” “And?” Jensen’s tone cut me off. “Well enough, he isn’t. You’ve known that. Sara prepared your room. Do you need me to escort you?” Even as my thoughts drifted, clouded by guilt and fear, I heard myself answer immediately. “No. I got it.” I pushed myself from the dining table, every movement careful, deliberate, keeping the smallest possible distance. Arms length. Always arms' length. Jensen froze mid-step, her gaze sweeping me from head to toe with something flickering in her green eyes. Then, slowly, she nodded and took a step back, as if giving me space while still holding the