Layla didn’t move—but her shoulders tensed.
"I did grow up there."
"And that’s exactly why this—" she gestured faintly around them, dismissive "—doesn’t even register."
Layla’s jaw tightened. "Then what? You just faint for no reason now?"
Lara’s gaze returned to her fully this ti.
There was a hint of sothing colder beneath it.
The implication settled heavily. You don’t know . You don’t get to judge .
You’re not important enough for an explanation.
Layla let out a short laugh—but this ti, it rang hollow.
"Enough."
The word cracked through the air—twice.
The shift was imdiate.
Sumr’s expression stiffened, her composure slipping for just a fraction of a second.
Because this wasn’t sothing they expected.
But Aquilo? The army major?
standing up for Lara.
The question lingered, heavy and uncomfortable.
Sumr followed, her eyes narrowing just a little, calculation replacing curiosity.
And they didn’t like it.
Without another word, the two of them stepped back.
But because, for the first ti since this started targeting Lara that day, they had lost control of the mont.
The silence hadn’t fully settled when Ares moved. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t hesitant. It was deliberate.
A quiet statent. Clear and intentional.
His movent was not harsh, but not gentle either.
As if making sothing known.
Layla’s breath hitched.
And for a split second, sothing ugly flickered across her face.
"You—" she started, but the word ca out tighter than she intended.
His attention remained on Lara.
The shift in tone was jarring. From cold authority to concern. Right in front of everyone.
Sumr noticed it too. Her gaze sharpened, darting between Ares’ hand and Lara’s expression.
Lara tried to pull her wrist free.
But his grip tightened just slightly.
"Don’t," he murmured, low enough that only she could hear. "You’re not steady."
Layla let out a sharp, humorless laugh.
Her eyes burned into Lara.
It sounded like an accusation.
Why her? Why does he look at her like that?
When his eyes landed on Layla— there was no warmth in them.
the kind that carried more weight than any raised voice.
Because that tone wasn’t for strangers. It was for people he had already decided weren’t worth his patience.
Ares didn’t wait for a response.
"Co on," he said. "We are leaving."
And this ti, he didn’t let go.
Each step felt like a slap.
sothing she hadn’t even realized she wanted so badly.
Eyes dark. Burning.
Not even close.
Layla didn’t move.
Her gaze stayed locked on them—on him, more precisely—on the way his hand remained on Lara’s arm, steady, unyielding, as if it belonged there.
The longer she watched, the tighter her chest felt.
Layla’s voice ca out low, strained.
"No," Sumr said softly. "It wasn’t."
Sumr didn’t answer right away.
That alone said enough.
Layla frowned. "Speak clearly."
"You’re focused on her," she said, nodding faintly in Lara’s direction. "But she’s not the problem."
Sumr turned to her now.
"The problem," she said, her voice dropping just enough to feel deliberate, "is that Ares chose to step in."
"And not just step in."
"Publicly."
Reputation. Position. Image.
And yet—he had.
"For her," Sumr echoed lightly.
"That’s what makes it dangerous."
This ti, it wasn’t charged with anger.
More strategic.
Aquilo watched as Ares led Lara away. His fists were clenched. He wanted to protest but before he could even open his mouth., Ares had taken Lara away.
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