Alex sat back on the sofa, twirling a grape between his fingers. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of a clock on the wall.
"So…" his voice echoed faintly, calm but commanding, "come out. I know you're still there. No need to hide."
The air shimmered, and out of thin air Alyssa materialized, her black eyes narrowing as she stepped into the open.
"Well, well," she said with icy sarcasm, "looks like someone turned traitor."
Alex smirked, leaning lazily against the armrest. "Damn right I did. The deal was too good to throw away." His tone was deliberately mocking. Then he tilted his head at her, grin widening. "But I've gotta hand it to you—you've become a really good actor too."
Alyssa crossed her arms, unimpressed. "That's because I've been forced to take care of two brats who only know how to act and whine all day."
He popped the grape into his mouth with a smug expression. "See how lucky you are? You should be proud."
