Joy's entire body froze. Her face went blank for half a second before sheer disbelief replaced it.
"Excuse me?"
Julie laughed softly.
"You heard me. You're practically doomed, my dear Joy. You'll be spending your days close to him, investigating, observing, getting caught in his pace."
"And one week of that is all it takes. You won't even realize when it happens."
For a second, Joy could only stare, her mind blank from how absurd the claim was.
Then, instead of anger, a dangerous little smile spread across her lips—the kind that made even seasoned soldiers take a step back.
"Julie." She said slowly, her voice low and calm. "That might be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my entire life."
"Me, falling for Cassius? Don't make me laugh."
Julie leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm.
"That's what I said too, you know." She said with mock seriousness. "I told myself there was no way I'd fall for him. I was certain I wouldn't. And yet…"
