Chapter41:

_Leah's POV_ I noticed the slight frown creasing my forehead the moment Tariq returned to the table. He sat down, his gaze soft with concern, reaching out to take my hand again. “Leah? Is everything okay?” he asked, his voice gentle. My heart hammered in my chest. I tried to compose myself, but my thoughts were spinning too fast, still consumed by the message I had just seen. I forced a small smile, my voice betraying none of the turmoil inside me. “Yeah, everything is fine. Just… a little tired,” I lied, lowering my gaze to avoid his penetrating stare. Tariq studied me for a moment, then shrugged, seemingly satisfied with my answer. He began talking again, his tone light and playful. “You know, I’ve been thinking about taking you on a weekend trip. Just the two of us. Maybe up to the mountains? I heard there’s a place with hot springs. What do you think?” I tried to focus on his words, but my mind was elsewhere, consumed by the words I had read on his phone. “I need her to trust me co