Chapter 31

The atmosphere at the office had shifted, growing heavy with an unspoken tension. It had been days since Russo had come to my room, and his cold indifference weighed on me like a stone in my chest.

It was as if a wall had risen between us, one that I couldn't scale, no matter how hard I tried. I tried talking to him once and the reaction was something I wouldn’t want to ever experience again, it was something I couldn’t mention. I hated how it dictated my entire mood for the whole day.

Somehow protecting Romero had cost me my relationship with Russo, now I can’t take back my words and I’m back to being treated like an outsider.

At work, Russo's behavior was even more disconcerting. He no longer lingered by my side, didn't seek out those moments of solitude we had shared. His replies to my inquiries were curt, and his gaze barely met mine. He wasn’t even interested in whatever I was working on.

Each day, his distance became more pronounced, and the sinking feeling that I was losing