CHAPTER 0198

AUDREY'S POV

“I went to see a friend of mine,” I said, my voice still shaking, every syllable feeling heavier than the last.

My father didn’t immediately respond. I could see his eyes narrow on the screen, his gaze sharp and probing, and for a moment, I thought he’d call my bluff outright. Then, after what felt like a small eternity, he finally spoke, his tone calm but unreadable. “I see,” he said