Chapter 117

• **Miranda’s POV**
• As Desmond blocked my path to the restaurant door, his face wore an expression that was both pleading and frustratingly insincere. I had no interest in entertaining his antics any longer. His lies, his deceit—they were suffocating, and I wasn’t about to let him drag me further into his web of manipulation.
• He raised a hand slightly, almost as if to stop me physically, but thought better of it. “Miss Laila, please,” he began, his tone low and falsely apologetic. “Let me explain. This is all just a misunderstanding.”