Chapter 79 Shattered ApéRitifs

Sophia
The midday sun was warm against my skin, the kind of heat that sank slowly into your bones without being oppressive. Layla and I walked side by side, heels tapping against the polished pavement outside Bellavita, a tucked-away, upscale restaurant known for its quiet charm and discreet clientele. It wasn’t far from campus, and she’d picked it intentionally—neutral ground. I thought we were just grabbing lunch, but from the tense way she clutched her purse, I knew there was more.
“You okay?” I asked, watching her fingers grip the leather strap tightly.