Lana's POV
The rain wouldn't stop.
Maybe the universe liked dramatic timing.
Or maybe my life was just falling apart beautifully.
I stood outside the investigation building, fingers tightening around my coat as reporters crowded near the entrance.
Cameras.
Questions.
Noise.
Too much noise.
And somehow… all I could think about was him.
"Miss! Are you connected to Mr. Leo Ayden?"
"Do you believe he's guilty?"
"Were you aware of the fraud allegations?"
I ignored them.
Kept walking.
Kept breathing.
Barely.
Inside, everything felt colder.
A guard stopped me near the hallway.
"Name?"
"Lana Hale."
He checked something quickly before nodding.
"He's in room seven."
My heart started beating harder.
Room seven.
Just a door.
Just a number.
So why did it feel terrifying?
I stood there for a few seconds before finally pushing it open.
And there he was.
Leo.
Still in black.
Still composed.
Still heartbreakingly familiar.
But he looked tired.
Not physically.
Soul-tired.
His eyes lifted the moment he saw me.
And for the first time since I left…
His calm expression cracked.
"Lana."
Just my name.
Soft.
Disbelieving.
Like he didn't expect me to come.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Awkward.
Painfully emotional.
"You shouldn't be here," he said quietly.
I laughed once, shaking my head.
"The whole country is talking about you, Leo."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I didn't want you involved."
"There you go again," I whispered.
His eyes flickered.
Protecting.
Hiding.
Choosing for me.
"Tell me the truth," I said.
No anger.
No yelling.
Just honesty.
"Did you do it?"
The question hurt both of us.
I saw it.
Leo looked at me for a long moment before answering.
"No."
One word.
Certain.
Immediate.
And somehow…
I believed him.
My eyes burned suddenly.
Because that certainty?
That honesty?
It was the first real thing I'd felt in days.
"Then why does it look so bad?" I asked softly.
He exhaled slowly, leaning back slightly.
"Because someone planned it carefully."
"Mick."
It wasn't a question.
Leo's silence confirmed it.
My chest tightened.
"Oh my God…"
"He wanted me distracted," Leo said quietly.
"And he used us to do it."
Guilt crashed into me instantly.
The arguments.
The distance.
Leaving him.
"I'm sorry," I whispered before I could stop myself.
Leo's expression softened immediately.
"No."
"But I left when things got hard."
"You left because I pushed you there," he replied.
Silence again.
But this silence felt different.
Not cold.
Not angry.
Just… sad.
"I should've trusted you," I admitted.
Leo looked down briefly before meeting my eyes again.
"And I should've trusted you with the truth."
There it was.
Finally.
Not blame.
Not pride.
Just honesty.
A knock interrupted the moment.
An officer stepped inside.
"Mr. Ayden, we need you again."
Leo nodded once.
Professional mask returning instantly.
But before he walked away—
He looked at me.
Really looked at me.
And softly said:
"I'm glad you came."
And somehow…
That hurt more than if he had been angry.