****************
CHAPTER 75
~Valerie's POV~
The moment those words escaped Xade's lips, my heart stopped, and for a beat too long, I said nothing.
And that silence? That was all Xade needed.
He chuckled under his breath, the sound felt like a dark promise I didn't want unpacked. "Thought so."
I clenched my jaw, swallowing words I wasn't ready to explain—not to him. Not to anyone.
Xade just stood there, watching me, eyes glittering with dangerous amusement.
And I hated that he was right.
"You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
Rather than answering him, I walked past him. I had no time for this. Unfortunately, Xade had a different idea.