Roman’s gaze lingered on Desiree for a second longer, something protective, something breaking inside him, before he set his pen down and walked out.

The moment he was gone, the whispers came alive again.

Desiree turned to Lucas, her voice shaking. “Lucas, what are they talking about? Why would they say that?”

He looked at her, his throat tight. “Des…” He sighed, pulled out his phone, and handed it to her. “Don’t freak out, okay?”

She frowned, confused, then looked down at the ...