chapter thirty four
The Damian drama gnawed at me, its tendrils refusing to loosen their grip on my thoughts. "Damian and I are on opposite sides of the coin," I muttered to myself, a mantra to convince my traitorous heart that whatever flicker of interest I felt was purely accidental. I continued my trek down the echoing corridor, each step a resolute beat against the unwelcome rhythm of my pulse.
Suddenly, a collision jolted me from my internal battle. "Annie," Alexander chuckled, a hint of amusement dancing in his warm brown eyes.
"Good morning," I stammered, momentarily flustered.
His keen gaze softened. "You seem troubled. What's on your mind?"
The truth teetered on the edge of my tongue, a confession that threatened to shatter the fragile peace I'd constructed. But the vulnerability of admitting my turmoil to Damian's rival was a risk I wasn't prepared to take. "It's nothing," I mumbled, forcing a smile.