"I'm fine, just a random wave of nausea," I muttered, my eyes trained on Miles.

His concern seemed genuine, but instead of comforting me, it grated on my nerves. Funny how not loving someone can twist their kindness into something that feels suffocating—or worse, manipulative.

"Good. Go drink some water," he said, his tone still dripping with care that felt too calculated for my liking.

I turned and headed toward my office, but before I got ...