LAUREN'S POV

“You have a lovely home,” Roman said as he lowered himself onto the couch, his tall frame sinking comfortably into the soft cushions. His gaze swept across the room with casual ease, but I could see his eyes quietly studying the details of each picture frame, each piece of furniture as though he was piecing together fragments of who I was from the space around me.

I forced a polite smile. “Thank you,” I replied, though my chest felt tight.

Beside me, Tessa edged closer, ...