Chapter 326
Aurora
He turned away from me abruptly, running a hand through his hair like he was trying to burn off the last of that anger before it exploded again. The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow from the lamp near the bed and the pale spill of moonlight through the window. Everything felt too quiet now-like the aftermath of a storm.
“Sit,” he said, not harshly this time, but not gently either.
I hesitated for half a second before moving, perching on the edge of the bed. My hands twisted together in my lap, nerves buzzing under my
skin.
Zayn crossed the room and shrugged out of his hoodie, the motion sharp, practiced. He tossed it at me without warning. It landed in my lap,
heavy and warm, carrying his scent.
“You’re wearing that to sleep,” he said. “I don’t care what you usually wea
I looked down at it, fingers curling into the fabric. “Zayn-”
“Rory.” My name came out low, tired. “Just-don’t argue with me right now
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I nodded and pulled the hoodie over my head. It swallowed me instantly, the sleeves hanging past my hands, the hem brushing mid-thigh.
He watched me for a moment, jaw tight, eyes darker now-not angry in the same way, but troubled.
Then his gaze shifted.
Straight to my eyes.
His expression changed immediately.
Slowly, deliberately, he exhaled through his nose and shook his head once like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“You let him see them,” he said.
It wasn’t a question.
My stomach dropped. “I forgot my contacts,” I said quietly. “I didn’t-”
“You forgot,” he repeated, incredulous. “Rory.”
“I wasn’t planning to stay,” I said, defensiveness creeping in despite mysel. “I didn’t think-”
“That’s the problem,” he cut in, sharper again. “You didn’t think. You walked into his room knowing damn well you’re not… normal anymore.”
“That’s not fair,” I muttered, standing up, my voice small even to my ownars. “You’re being really mean.”
He let out a short, humorless chuckle.
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Chapter 326
“Mean?” He shook his head once. “No. I’m realistic.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he was already going again, the words piling up like he’d been holding them in for too long
“What if it was a trap?” he snapped. “What if he did something to you?”
His voice rose on the last sentence, sharp and sudden. I flinched before I could stop myself, my shoulders tensing.
“He told me he’s not working with your father,” I said quickly, rushing the words out as if speed might protect me. “That he’s-”
“What?”
The single word cut through me.
He turned fully toward me now, disbelief written all over his face. “You actually told him?” His laugh was bitter this time, edged with
something close to panic. “Do you even have a brain?”
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That one stung. I looked down, fingers knotting in the fabric of his hoodie
He dragged a hand down his face and took a deep breath, clearly trying-and failing-to calm himself. When he spoke again, his voice was
lower, more dangerous.
“And let me guess,” he said slowly. “You F**king believed him?”
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