I left Axel's office without another word, my heart pounding with a mixture of anger and determination. The confrontation had drained me emotionally, but it had also crystallized something in my mind: I couldn't keep living in the dark.
After a quick bath to wash away the remnants of the previous night's ordeal, I found Erica waiting in the foyer with her bags. She looked worried as she watched me descend the stairs.
"Ready?" I asked, forcing a smile.
"Are you sure you should be driving?" she asked, studying my face. "You look exhausted, and after everything that happened last night..."
"I'm fine. Besides, I want to make sure you get there safely myself."
"Layla, you don't have to do that. Axel could have sent a driver."
"No, I want to do this. I need to do this." To clear my mind, I added in my mind.
The drive to the apartment Axel had arranged was quiet at first. I could feel Erica's eyes on me as I navigated through the city streets.
