Chapter 179: Screwed 

LIANA

I froze the moment I came face to face with James, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. Every nerve in my body screamed for me to run, but I stood rooted to the spot, terrified he would recognize me.

I could almost feel Sara's breath hitch behind me, her fear mirroring my own.

The seconds stretched into an eternity as I braced for the inevitable confrontation.

My mind raced with the potential fallout. If James recognized us, all our careful planning and risky visit would be for nothing. Everything we had worked for would collapse like a house of cards. I could already see our plans unraveling, leaving us exposed and vulnerable.

But then, in a twist that left me reeling, James simply walked past us.

His eyes barely skimmed over us, showing no hint of recognition. It was as if we were invisible, just two more faces in the crowd.

I could hardly believe it. The tension drained from my body, replaced by a mix of relief and confusion.

Had we really just escaped unnoticed, o