Chapter 74

Astria's POV

With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he let out a hearty laugh, seemingly poking fun at my notion. But little did he know, his laughter only fueled my seriousness. 

"I have a feeling everything will be alright, Astria," he reassured me confidently, pulling me closer into his warm embrace.

However, amidst the calm, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. What about our little bet? Who was winning? Or perhaps more importantly, who was losing? As I gazed into his mesmerizing baby blue eyes, an unexpected pang of doubt pierced my heart. Could it be that he was doing all of this, saying all the right things, just to secure his victory? 

Suddenly, a rush of adrenaline surged through me, compelling me to stand. But the moment I rose to my feet, a dizzying wave crashed over me, leaving me vulnerable. Thankfully, Angelo was there to steady me, supporting my every faltering step. However, as if driven by instinct, I remembered ou