The real truth

Kelvin and Vee stepped into the scene, their footsteps light but unmissable in the tense silence.

They took in the sight before them—Noah, standing stiff, his hands still lightly curled as if he had just tried to pry himself free. Lila, arms draped around his neck, staring at him with an expression neither of them could quite place.

Kelvin's brow shot up. "Uh… what exactly is going on here?"

Vee, standing beside him, folded her arms. "Yeah, should we leave and come back later, or…?"

At the sound of their voices, Lila's fingers finally loosened. She let her hands drop, clearing her throat in a manner that almost seemed rehearsed—like she wasn't just seconds away from crushing Noah's windpipe or pulling him closer.

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel.

As she walked past Noah, she paused just long enough to blow him a playful kiss, her lips curling into a sly smile before she strode off, completely unfazed.