Chapter 134

• Alyssa
• Marina's presence in the room feels like a heavy weight. Her confident stride and the sharp click of her heels are constant reminders of how out of depth I feel. Marina exudes composure, as if nothing can shake her. I can't help but wonder if she can see right through the mask I'm desperately trying to hold onto—whether she knows about the anxiety twisting my insides.
• As she arranges her files, her eyes sweep the room, landing on Niko briefly, then Mason, before they settle back on me. There's a certain intensity to the way she looks at me, like she's already dissected me in her mind. It's fucking unnerving, but I refuse to let it show.