You adore her, what's not for her to like? Only those who chase love get to relish it!" Katie tempted him further. "And just between us, women are swayed by emotion. If you get her body, her heart will be yours. She won't be able to forget you..."

Andrew's hold on the wine glass grew firmer, his mind hazed with thoughts of Lilah needing him.

He shook the thoughts away, his resolve dissolving in another glass of wine.

"Do you find any truth in my words? You won't have a future with her unless you try." Katie's whisper was a nudge in the dim Light.

Andrew nodded slightly.

"It makes sense," he conceded.

Lilah and Gerard had returned to their sanctuary. After spending some time with Jerrold, Lilah retreated to her own apartment.

There was a design for Gerard she was itching to finish, which kept her up past midnight.

Suddenly, her phone chimed with a message from Andrew.

"I'm drunk. Can you help me?" Alongside the text was the address of a hotel.

Lilah's brow creased as she dialed Andrew, only to be met with silence.

This guy...

The memory of his strained smile earlier twisted in her gut.

It was clear to anyone with eyes that Andrew harbored feelings for her, yet she'd never entertained the idea, always seeing him as her friend.

With a heavy sigh, Lilah conceded that maybe the time had come to set things straight with Andrew.

He was young, full of promise. He deserved someone who could give him their all.

With a sense of purpose, she readied herself and set out for the hotel.

Upon arrival, she tapped on the door, which, to her surprise, swung open at the slightest touch.

The room swallowed her into its darkness. As she groped for the light switch, her heart raced.

And then, the stark light revealed a sight that widened her eyes in shock.

Andrew lay there, shirtless, his skin an alarming shade of red.

Lilah's instincts screamed that he'd been drugged.

Who would do this?

"Go," a groggy Andrew managed to say, barely conscious yet recognizing Lilah's silhouette. "You gotta go."