SERAPHINA'S POV
What did you just say?"
Lucas' voice didn't rise, but something in it sharpened. His eyes widened slightly as he leaned closer, as though the words hadn't settled properly the first time. He needed to hear them again, needed to confirm that I had truly said what he thought I had.
"It's the truth, Lucas," I replied, holding his gaze steadily. "I didn't want to tell you… but I had to."
For a moment, nothing happened. Then he scoffed—a short, disbelieving sound—as he stepped back and began pacing, his hand dragging across his jaw like he could physically push the thought away. "That's not possible," he muttered under his breath. "No… that can't be."
I lowered my head slightly, watching him carefully, and then, without warning, he moved. The door slammed open with a violent crack against the wall.
"Lucas—!" I called, already moving after him, but he was gone.
"Layla!" His voice thundered through the house, sharp and commanding, echoing down the corridors. "Layla!"
