Page 79 of Symphony for Lies

He closed the space between us, his thumb tracing over my fingers in a slow, deliberate motion that felt like he was trying to memorize every detail of my skin.

“I just need you to know it’s not something I take lightly. And you… you’re not just anyone to me.”

I sucked in a shaky breath. “It was my choice,” I murmured, barely trusting my voice.

Zane studied me for a long moment, searching for some assurance that I wasn’t regretting what happened.

His lips parted, and his next words wrecked me.“Amelia, do you hate me?”

I was startled by the rawness in his voice and shook my head.

“Then don’t do this to me.”

The desperate tone in his voice made my heart slam against my ribs. I had never seen him with so much emotion in his eyes—so dark, so unguarded, so dangerous.

I was losing myself in them.

I had to take a step back. “I-I have to go back to work.”

Zane inhaled sharply. For a second, I thought he would pull me back in, claim me with another punishing kiss, and demand that I stay. But after a tense pause, he stepped back. And God, why did that space between us feel so cold?

I glanced down at the roses still clutched in his hand. Something strange twisted in my chest as he handed them to me.

A small, hesitant smile curled on my lips. “Thank you for the flowers.”

Zane’s gaze softened. “You don’t have to thank me.”

His presence had completely shaken me, but at the same time, I felt lighter inside.

He leaned down and pressed a slow, lingering kiss against my forehead. A complete contrast to the intensity between us.His breath was warm against my skin as he whispered. “Next time, you will stay.”

Blushing, I pushed his chest. “We’ll see about that.”

His lips quirked up.

Without another word, I turned and walked back into the clinic, his gaze burning into my back the entire way. As I slipped into the staff room, my gaze fell on the roses.

A small card was tucked inside the blooms. Instead of a normal message, there were music notes written on it. The same kind of secret method Zane had taught me the day prior.

It took me barely a second to decipher the melody.

“I’ll make sure you’ll never forget.”

A hot wave rolled through me, burning deep in my stomach as I ran my fingertips over the notes. I had no idea if it was a warning or a promise.

Chapter 18

At work, I got hit with the harsh reality I was living in. A freaking mess. Two new poisoning cases—both severe. We barely managed to keep them alive.

Rita and Robert were burning with curiosity, desperate to interrogate me about the man in the waiting room, but there was no time. Between filling out reports, questioning the owners, and tracing the cause of the poisonings. The day felt endless.

When I grabbed my bag and left, exhaustion pulsed deep in my bones.

I was so relieved it was Friday; there was no tutoring and no more responsibilities hanging over my head. I needed the weekend to breathe.

The moment I stepped inside my house, the scent of warm food wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. My grandmother stood in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove with the phone pressed to her ear.

“Yes, yes. Tomorrow morning. That works perfectly. No problem at all, Miss. Aria.”