250


    +25 Borus


    Rae set her cup down slowly. "You think it''s fake?"


    ire shrugged. "I think people can y whatever role benefits them most.


    Cassian''s posture stiffened. "That''s not fair."


    ire waved him off. "You''ve always been too generous with him."


    Rae felt it then-sharp and unmistakable. The same cold prickle she''d felt weeks ago, the first time ire had mentioned Kieran''s name with something like reverence.


    "You don''t know him like Ellie does," Rae said carefully.


    ire''s mouth tightened. "Ellie doesn''t know him as well as she thinks."


    Silence fell.


    Cassian nced between them. "Okay," he said slowly. "What''s going on?"


    "Nothing," ire replied quickly. Too quickly. "I''m just saying people don''t change overnight."


    Rae stood. "I need some air."


    She didn''t wait for a response.


    Later that evening, Rae paced the length of the apartment, arms folded tight against her chest.


    Cassian watched her from the doorway, concern etched into his face.


    "You''re really worked up,” he said gently.


    "Because something''s wrong."


    "With ire?"


    "Yes."


    Cassian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Rae, she''s been my friend since childhood. I chose her to help Ellie because I trusted her."


    "That''s exactly why this matters," Rae shot back. "She''s not just opinionated, Cassian. She''s... invested."


    He frowned. "In what way?"


    "In Kieran," Rae said tly.


    Cassian stiffened. "That''s ridiculous."


    "Is it?" Rae challenged. "She keepsparing them. Minimizing Nn. Framing Ellie like she''s being manipted."


    Cassian hesitated.


    Just for a moment-but Rae saw it.


    "She''s worried about Ellie," he said finally.


    “So am I,” Rae replied. “And that''s why I know this isn''t concern. Besides that, she keeps minimizing the fact that Nn saved you. If she''s your friend, why is she doing that?"