Chapter 71

Cleo stepped in, her eyes hastily scanning the room. Asher was still in his clothes. A part of her breathed a sigh of relief—until she gulped down the knot in her throat. His expression had changed. Cold. Distant. Hard to read.

The second she stepped closer, his voice cut through the air."Close the door."

She obeyed without a word, shutting it behind her. She stood by it like a secretary waiting for orders. Just as she parted her lips to speak, Asher moved in—fast.

His hand clamped around her neck and shoved her against the door, his voice low and lethal."What nonsense did you just spit? It's not true, is it? About Aria?"

Cleo choked, her skin changing color almost instantly. Her eyes widened in disbelief.He wouldn’t kill her—would he?She wasn’t confident in that thought.

"I got a call from the hospital just now. Thought I would report it…" she gasped, fighting his grip.Her voice was breathless. She could barely force the words out.

Asher’s eyes n