Chapter 214: Fuel to the fire
After tucking Lucius into bed, Layla sat by his side, her fingers gently brushing across his cheek. "I promise to ease your pain," she whispered softly, but with determination.
As she lingered, her phone buzzed, breaking the stillness. Glancing at the screen, she noticed it was a reply from Demitri—something she hadn’t expected after he had ignored her earlier call.
Without hesitation, Layla opened the message and began typing. "Can we meet if you’re free?" she wrote, her fingers trembling slightly.
After hitting send, she hesitated for a moment before adding, "If possible, let’s meet tonight."
The response was almost immediate. "Sure," Demitri replied, followed by the location of a nearby café, conveniently close to her home.
Layla exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and apprehension washing over her. She glanced back at Lucius. "I will return soon," she murmured.
Since the night air was cold, Layla draped a long coat over her shoulders before quietly leaving her room to meet Demitri at the café. As she descended the last step of the staircase, she spotted Roderick emerging from the kitchen, holding a jar of water.
She froze, hoping to slip past unnoticed, but his sharp gaze caught her. Without hesitation, he approached her with a curious expression.
"Where are you going at this hour?" Roderick asked, his tone edged with suspicion.