Behind the Smile

VANESSA

The moment the door swung open, my breath hitched.

Daphne stood there, her gaze bouncing between me and Declan, her expression unreadable. My stomach twisted. Had she heard us?

I felt Declan tense beside me. He didn’t move, but I caught the way his jaw tightened. I darted a glance at him—just a quick flicker of panic before I forced my face into something warm and inviting.

A smile. That w