With urgency crackling in her every step, Angel strode across the room, her gaze flickering away from the video screen to glimpse the figure on the other side.
A smile began to bloom on her lips, anticipation rising as she reached for the door.
But the moment it swung open, her smile withered—vanishing as if it had been ripped away, leaving only a ghost of the warmth that had been there seconds before.
Angel's jaw tightened, her teeth grinding as she locked eyes with the figure standing in the doorway.
There, Riley stood, a smug smile playing on her lips.
She slowly lowered her sunglasses, just enough for her sharp gaze to meet Angel's.
With a teasing lilt, she drawled, "Oh wow. I never thought you were—" she paused, letting the sarcasm drip from her tone, her smirk deepening.
Then, as if Angel was nothing more than a fleeting thought, she simply shrugged, dismissing her with effortless indifference.