Page 13 of Symphony for Lies

My heart skipped a beat. They had been listening? Oh God.

The air grew heavier.

Mr. Cole stepped beside me, his hand landing on my shoulder.Even though he was an older gentleman, his presence was firm. Unyielding. “So, Simon has improved?”

I nodded, my face burning.

“Good.” His lips curled into a grin. “Then he stays at his school. And he will join the group tutoring.” Mr. Cole turned to his wife.“We’ll take care of the formalities later.”

Mrs. Cole didn’t react immediately. But then, she shrugged, stood up, and pressed her lips together into a thin line. “Do whatever you want. You never listen to me anyway.” Her voice was quiet but dripping with venom.

The tension in the room was truly unbearable.

I had enough.I needed to get out.

“It’s getting late, I really should be going.” I tried to sound as professional as possible. “We can discuss the formalities another time.”

Mr. Cole checked his watch and nodded.

“Thank you.” I gave a slight bow. “I hope you all have a good evening.”

I took a step toward the door and—

“Zane, take her home.” Mr. Cole’s voice left no room for argument.

“No, no. That’s really okay. I’ll just call a taxi—”

But to my surprise, Zane stepped beside me without argument.His finger closed around my wrist. Not tightly, not painfully, but impossible to escape.

“I’m driving you.”

And then, before I could protest, he pulled me out of the room.

Chapter 5

“Put this on.”

A helmet landed in my hands.

I stared at it. Then, at the sleek black motorcycle behind Zane.

I swallowed hard. The cool night air brushed against my heated face, offering momentary relief, but I wasn’t calm.

I couldn’t do this.

“Uh… I think I’d rather take a taxi.”

Zane crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze dragging over my body—slowly and deliberately, like he was reading every tiny reaction.

“I’m taking you home.” His tone left no room for argument, just like his father.

I took a step back. “I never said I wanted you to—”

“I know.” He shrugged. “I want to.”

My stomach twisted, and I glanced down again at the heavy helmet.I hated speed.

Every sudden movement sent me into a quiet panic. Even though I had been a baby when my parents’ car crashed, the fear of being in fast-moving vehicles had never left me.

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