Lana's POV
"Yes."
That's what he said.
Not denial.
Not explanation.
Just… yes.
The word echoed in my head long after he said it.
"You met Chloe," I repeated, my voice strangely calm.
Leo watched me carefully. "It was business."
I nodded slowly.
Business.
That word again.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
His jaw tightened slightly. "Because I knew you'd react like this."
A sharp laugh escaped me. "Like what? Asking a question?"
"Assuming the worst," he corrected.
Something inside me snapped.
"I'm assuming because you keep hiding things from me!"
"I'm not hiding," he said, frustration rising. "It was a meeting. Nothing more."
"With Chloe?" I shot back. "After everything?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "You think I'd betray you?"
I didn't answer.
And that silence… said too much.
His eyes darkened—not with anger. With hurt.
"So that's how little you trust me."
"That's not fair," I whispered.
"Isn't it?" he said quietly. "Every time something happens, you believe the worst version of me."
"And every time something happens," I replied, my voice trembling now, "you give me reasons to doubt."
We stood there, separated by only a few feet—
But it felt like miles.
"I can't keep defending myself," Leo said softly. "If you don't trust me, Lana… then what are we even doing?"
The question hit hard.
Because I didn't have an answer.
Love isn't enough without trust.
And trust… felt fragile.
"I just don't want to look stupid again," I admitted quietly.
His expression softened for a second.
"You won't," he said. "Not with me."
But the damage was already done.
Because in my head, Mick's voice still echoed:
Private dinner.
And Leo had said yes.
Later that night, we slept back-to-back.
Not angry.
Not yelling.
Just… separated.
And sometimes, that's worse.