The warmth in Vincent's eyes vanished instantly.
His outstretched hand slowly lowered to his side.
"Juliet—" His jaw tightened, the muscles visibly flexing. "Don't cross the line."
His expression darkened as he took another step toward her, the last of his patience finally beginning to crack.
"Stop being unreasonable," he said through gritted teeth. "I'm trying to talk to you."
Juliet let out a disbelieving laugh and folded her arms across her chest. "Talk? You dragged me here against my will and have been interrogating me ever since I arrived."
Vincent's jaw tightened. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, a shocked gasp suddenly echoed through the corridor.
"Vincent?"
Both of them turned.
Several feet away, Alexa stood rooted to the spot, a few shopping bags hanging limply from her hands. Her eyes darted between Vincent and Juliet, shock and disbelief clearly written across her face.
From where she stood, the two of them looked far too intimate.
Vincent was standing directly in front of Juliet, leaving almost no space between them, while Juliet stood backed against the wall. To anyone passing by, it looked less like an argument and more like a private confrontation between former lovers who still had unresolved feelings.
Alexa's face instantly lost color.
"W-What's going on here?" she asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.
The moment Juliet saw her, her entire body stiffened.
Memories came rushing back so quickly that they almost made her dizzy.
Every accusation Alexa had thrown at her.
Every lie she had told.
Every tear Juliet had shed because of her.
And worst of all, every single time Vincent had chosen to believe Alexa over her without hesitation.
The warmth and happiness she had been carrying all evening disappeared in an instant, replaced by a familiar coldness.
Juliet suddenly felt exhausted.
Without saying a single word, she turned and started walking away.
"Juliet!"
Vincent immediately reached out and grabbed her wrist again.
That single action completely shattered the last shred of patience she had left.
Juliet stopped abruptly.
Then she spun around so quickly that Vincent barely had time to react.
Smack!
The sharp sound echoed through the quiet corridor.
