Lana Hayes hated lies.
Maybe that was why the message on Leo's phone made her stomach twist the second she saw it.
Can't wait to see you tonight again .
Her fingers froze around the coffee cup.
For a moment, the noise inside the café disappeared completely.
The soft music.
The sound of rain hitting the windows.
Even Mick's teasing voice from across the table.
Everything blurred.
"Lana?"
She blinked quickly and locked the phone screen before Leo returned from the counter.
Her heartbeat wouldn't slow down.
No.
There had to be an explanation.
Leo wasn't like that.
Right?
"You look pale." Mick leaned back lazily in his chair, watching her carefully. "You okay?"
Lana forced a smile.
"Yeah. Just tired."
"Bad liar."
His smirk appeared instantly, but unlike usual, it didn't annoy her today.
Because her mind was somewhere else.
On that message.
On the tiny red heart at the end of it.
Leo returned a few seconds later, carrying two drinks with his usual warm smile.
"There you go." He placed her favorite coffee in front of her. "Still raining outside?"
"Mm."
She avoided his eyes.
Leo frowned slightly. "What happened?"
"Nothing."
Too fast.
Too defensive.
Mick noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
Mick noticed everything.
The café lights reflected against the silver rings on his fingers as he slowly stirred his drink, silent for once.
Watching.
Always watching.
"You sure?" Leo asked again softly.
Lana finally looked up at him.
The guilt in her chest hurt more than the suspicion.
Because she wanted to trust him.
She really did.
But the message kept replaying in her head.
Can't wait to see you tonight again .
"Actually…" Lana grabbed her bag suddenly and stood up.
"I just remembered I promised Mia I'd help her with something."
Leo looked surprised. "Right now?"
"Yeah."
Outside, thunder echoed through the city.
Mick's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're leaving in this weather?"
"I'll survive."
She tried joking, but her voice cracked halfway through.
Leo immediately stood up too. "I'll walk you home."
"No."
The answer came too quickly.
Too sharp.
All three of them noticed it.
An awkward silence settled between them.
Lana looked away first.
"I mean… it's fine. I can go alone."
Leo studied her face carefully now, like he was finally realizing something was wrong.
Before he could ask another question, Lana turned and walked out of the café.
The cold rain hit her instantly.
But not nearly as hard as the thoughts inside her head.
Maybe she was overthinking.
Maybe the message meant nothing.
Maybe—
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
Lana hesitated before opening it.
Then her entire world stopped.
A photo loaded slowly onto the screen.
Leo.
And another girl.
Together.
Intimately close.
Underneath it was a single message:
You deserve to know the truth.