Chapter 204: Divided Loyalties

Exhausted but wired, Mariana shuffled towards her apartment, convinced Tiago would go to his as well. To her surprise, he stopped abruptly right before they reached the main entrance. The fluorescent lights buzzing overhead cast an unflattering yellow glow on his face, deepening the shadows beneath his tired eyes. "I'll handle things here," he announced, his voice clipped and devoid of warmth. "You head home and get some rest." Mariana blinked, caught off guard by his sudden change in plans. "Are you sure?" she asked hesitantly. Concern gnawed at her. "I wouldn't mind going with you…" "No," Tiago interrupted her firmly, his gaze flickering away from hers for a brief moment. "It's better if you're here. Trust me." He offered a strained smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. There was a steely glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down Mariana's spine. She sensed a hidden agenda, a secrecy that she couldn't quite decipher. But given his unwavering determination, she knew arguing w