(Steven Sy's POV)
The courtyard lights blurred into vague halos, the world shrinking into one small, unbearable truth:
Anthony Ren had just called him out —
publicly, cleanly, mercilessly.
And for the first time in a long time…
Steven had no idea how to respond.
The group was still frozen in the messy silence that followed. Everyone pretending to look away but very obviously not looking away.
Lara's fingers hovered near his sleeve — hesitant, unsure.
Andy was watching him with that careful, unreadable look he rarely used.
Michelle—
Michelle stood between all of them, eyes wide, breath uneven, hands trembling just slightly as she tried to keep her expression calm.
She said she was fine.
He didn't believe it.
He doubted anyone did.
But the thing that rattled him the most wasn't Anthony's accusations.
It was the way Michelle flinched when their eyes met —
barely, but enough for him to see it.
A flicker of hesitation.
A flicker of fear.
Fear of… him?
