Chapter 161. Conflicted

Teyana’s POV

My strength was waning by the minute, yet, I lifted my face fully to Jeremy then, my fingers tightening around Carol’s phone as though it might steady me. My voice came out quieter than I felt, brittle around the edges.

“Do you want to explain this?” I asked him. Even though I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to hear his explanations if there were any.

Jeremy didn’t answer.

He didn’t deny it.

He didn’t rush to defend himself.

He didn’t even look surprised. Just…caught.

He just stood there, staring at the screen I was holding, jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscle jump beneath his skin.

And just like that—my heart dropped.

It wasn’t a slow fall. It plummeted. Straight through my chest, knocking the breath out of me as though something vital had been ripped loose.

Carol let out a tired breath beside me and shook her head at him, her disappointment sharp and unapologetic.

“Whatever this situation