Chapter 95

Lauren's POV

Tessa leaned in closer, her sharp gaze studying me with a seriousness that made me instinctively shift back in my chair. Her eyes narrowed, scanning my face as if searching for something beneath the surface, some hidden truth I wasn’t saying out loud. Then, before I could even form a sentence, her hand shot up and pressed lightly against my neck, testing my temperature like a worried mother.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm, though her touch lingered as if she genuinely feared something was off.

I rolled my eyes, brushing her hand away gently. “Was that why you were suddenly behaving like this?” I asked, my voice carrying a faint edge.

“Yes,” she said quickly, pulling her hand back but not looking away from me. “Because if you’re perfectly alright, then they must have switched my friend with someone else. Why else would you ask about that bastard?” Her voice cracked, emotion rising beneath the