Valerie didn't speak right away.
She stood a little closer than before, close enough to clearly see the tension in Daniel's jaw, and the way his breathing still hadn't fully steadied even after drinking. The dim lighting of the room fell directly over his arm right where she had noticed it earlier.
That mark.
A faint bruise, tinted blue.
Valerie swallowed before taking another step forward.
Daniel, noticing the movement, immediately tensed. His shoulders stiffened, his eyes shifting quickly, like someone who had just realized he was being watched.
"What is it, Val?" he asked, his voice slightly restrained. There was a small pause between his words, as if he had to force himself to sound normal.
Valerie didn't answer immediately. Her gaze dropped, stopping right at his arm.
"What happened to your arm?" she finally asked, softly but clearly. "Why is there an injection mark… and a bruise?"
As if stung, Daniel shot up from his seat.
