_Leah's POV_

I waited until Tariq’s breathing deepened. His body relaxed beside me as he drifted into sleep. I lay still, heart pounding, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. Every instinct told me to run, but I knew I needed to be cautious. Moving slowly, I slid my hand under my pillow and pulled out the old leather-bound diary.

The weight of the book in my hands felt heavy, almost as if it were pulsing with dark secrets. I slipped out of bed, careful not to make a sound, and ...