Chapter 53: Pretend House Hunting

*Layla*

"I'll have my lawyer draw up an agreement," Dante said at last, his voice emotionless. "With all of your conditions met. Are we done here?"

I simply nodded.

"For now," I replied coolly. "I'll wait to hear from your lawyer."

"I'll make the arrangements, Layla. You'll have your house, your stipend. Everything you need to start over, to build a new life for yourself."

I felt a rush of relief, a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in longer than I could remember. But even as I savored the feeling, I couldn't shake the sense that something was off, that Dante's agreement had come too easily, too quickly.

And then I saw it, the flicker of disappointment in his eyes, the brief moment of hesitation. It was as if he had been hoping for something more, for some sign that I still cared for him, that I wasn't just using him or this situation for his money and his power.

But I couldn't give him that. I pushed those feelings aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.