CHAPTER FORTY FIVE – KEEPING UP THE LIE

Logan broke the silence first. "This is insane," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I can't believe how quickly everything's spiraled out of control." Deonna nodded, her fingers tracing the rim of her water glass. "I know. It feels like we're living in some sort of bizarre reality show." Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air seemed to crackle with unspoken emotions. Logan leaned forward slightly. "Deonna, I... I'm sorry. For everything. I never meant for any of this to happen." She felt a flutter in her chest at his words, but quickly squashed it. "I know, Logan. Neither did I. But here we are." He reached across the table, his hand hovering near hers. "Maybe... maybe we can find a way to make this work. For both our sakes." Deonna hesitated, then allowed her hand to meet his. The touch sent a familiar warmth through her. "A truce?" she suggested. Logan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "A truce. We present a united front to the world, keep my father and the