Chapter 51: Shadows of Envy

**Thelma Zane’s POV:** Perhaps the future awaiting me, after my identity was inevitably revealed, would be far from ideal. Still, in this fleeting moment under the moonlit sky, I allowed myself to believe in Aldrich’s sincerity and courage. I chose to trust him completely, vowing silently never to betray that trust. Under the moonlight, our affection for each other manifested in tender kisses. The world seemed to fade away as we shared this quiet, intimate moment. When the kiss ended, I felt a wave of shyness creeping up on me. Even though there wasn’t a soul around, the vulnerability of the moment made my cheeks flush. “Are you upset?” Aldrich asked, resting his forehead lightly against mine with a mischievous smile. “Because I kissed you for so long, you didn’t get a chance to breathe?” I gasped. How had this man become so cheeky after such an emotional confession? Unable to resist, I gave him a playful punch or two before melting back into his embrace. We sat on the training ground,