"How come you're here?" Fleming Mercer set his bag down and turned to face

her.

Esmeralda Mercer felt a strange, indescribable awkwardness, mixed with

emotions she didn't dare examine too closely.

"I just brought you a jacket." She held up the coat in her hands, as if she needed to prove she hadn't been eavesdropping.

Adrian rubbed the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling more out of place than ever-even though, technically, he was just an outsider.

He barely knew Fleming's fiancée; after all, Fleming never mentioned her. But for her to overhear that conversation just now... It didn't seem right.

"Alright then, why don't I give you two some time alone?" Adrian flashed Esmeralda a friendly smile, doing his best to seem welcoming before stepping out. He even closed the door gently behind him.

Esmeralda hesitated, remembering that Adrian was closer to Lucy. He'd probably take Lucy's side, if it ever came to that.

"Okay," she murmured, nodding.

Finally, she walked farther into the room and handed the jacket to Fleming. "Have you settled in here yet?"

hoping Fleming would offer some explanation for what she'd heard. Something like, "It was just a joke," or "Don't take it to heart," or

was embarrassingly easy

and walked toward the bathroom, tossing it into the washing machine. "Almost done,"

reserved, rarely wasting words. Explanations, especially, seemed

a

him put her worn clothes into the machine, wondering-Did he

it, she mustered up her courage and

returned, hanging the rest of his clothes in the closet. "Just

short answer snuffed out the little bit of bravery Esmeralda had managed to

with her fingers, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh...

hanging from Fleming's phone-something she'd never seen before. It was

it. "Didn't know

down the hanger, strode over, and snatched his phone away from her. "Don't touch

angry, Esmeralda could sense his displeasure. The shift in his demeanor hit her like a slap-she stared

moment, she felt like a stranger, someone he refused

eyes. Then, catching himself, he tucked his phone away and looked at her. "I might have to

in effect, asking

important that little jade pendant

panicked when she touched

mind drifted

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