LAUREN'S POV

“I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to sound as convincing as possible, but even as the words left my lips, they felt heavy and false. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel the walls closing in. Inside, a knot of panic twisted and coiled, because deep down, I knew what this was about. I had been dreading this moment.

Roman’s gaze was steady. He wasn’t buying it, and the calmness in his tone only made it worse.

“Just tell me ...