Nobela ni Kevin.M

Alex left before the sun finished rising. He moved through the house like a shadow—socks on the stairs, door eased shut, no lights. The bruise on his neck still ached when the collar rubbed it. He didn’t check the mirror. He didn’t want to see whatever expression would be waiting there. The train was half empty. He sat by the window and watched the city blur past, fingers tight around the strap of his bag. Every time the car rocked he felt the ghost of Troy’s hand on his thigh from the night before. He pushed the memory down and opened a notebook he had no intention of reading. Campus smelled like wet concrete and coffee. Students drifted between buildings with headphones and paper cups. Alex kept his head down and walked faster than usual. He had two morning lectures and a free period in the library. If he stayed busy enough, maybe the words from last night would stop repeating. *I’m yours.* He had said them. Then he had run. First lecture passed in a haze of supply-chain mode

Alex woke to the taste of the words still in his mouth."I’m yours."The room was empty. Pale light cut across the bed. He sat up and the sheet slid down his bare chest. The bruise on his neck had darkened overnight, a deep purple that sat just above the collarbone. He pressed two fingers to it and felt the dull ache answer.He showered until the water ran cold. In the mirror he buttoned a white shirt all the way to the top, then checked the collar twice before leaving the room.Downstairs the air smelled of coffee and buttered toast. Silas sat at the head of the table, already dressed for the office, tablet propped against a glass of orange juice. Bridget moved between the counter and the table in her robe, pouring tea. Troy occupied the chair across from Alex’s place, black shirt open at the throat, hair still damp. He watched Alex walk in without smiling.“Morning, sweetheart,” Bridget said.“Morning.” Alex’s voice came out even. He sat. The wood of the chair felt too hard against

The library was supposed to be safeAlex got there at five in the morning, before anyone, before the sun, before Troy could wake upHe sat in the back of the economics section with a wall of books around him, folders spread everywhere, trying to focusIt didn’t workHis phone was face down on the desk, it buzzed and he jumped_Devil Brother_He didn’t open it, he deleted it, but he could still see the wordsHe reached up and checked his collar, every button done, fabric rubbing against the mark on his neckHis hips still hurt"you’re losing it" Alex whispered "just focus"The chair across from him scrapedAlex looked up, ready to see TroyIt was StolasOf course it was StolasDark suit, glasses, perfect, Harrison Industries heir, the only person who ever beat Alex for first"you’re early" Stolas said "doors just opened and you’re already camped""I have a meeting at Morrison Global" Alex said "I didn’t want distractions""distractions" Stolas smiled a little "wise, especially with the

Alex stood in front of the mirror and hated what he sawHe looked the same but he didn’t feel the same, his eyes were tired, his shirt was buttoned all the way up to his throatHe pulled the collar down with shaking fingersBruises, dark and ugly, right on his hips, and a mark at the base of his neck"shit" Alex whispered to himself "get it together"He let the shirt go and buttoned it again, every single button, then he tucked it in and ran a hand through his hairHe had to be normal, he had to be Alex Bennet, top grades, perfect stepson, invisibleDownstairs smelled like coffee and pastries, it made him sickHe walked into the dining room and stoppedSilas was at the head of the table with his iPad, Bridget was pouring tea, the sun was too bright"good morning sweetheart" Bridget smiled "you’re up early""morning mom, morning Silas" Alex said, voice steady, he sat in his usual seat across from Troy’s empty chairSilas looked up "Alex, perfect timing, I was just looking at the quarte

The curtain ripped open and Kevin was already halfway through it"get the fuck out of my way" he shoved both hands into Paxton’s chest "Alex is in there and I’m not waiting"Paxton didn’t budge, he just caught Kevin’s wrists like they weighed nothing "relax sweetheart, you really don’t want to go in there""Are you out of your mind" Kevin tried to yank free "I heard someone go in, I heard a body hit the wall, if Troy’s drunk friend is in there with him I’m going to—""Troy is the one in there," Paxton said flatKevin stopped breathing "what did you say""You heard me," Paxton said "Troy saw you on the stairs with the blindfold, he followed you up, and now he’s in there with Alex, so unless you want this to turn into a scene you’re going to stand right here""Let them what" Kevin’s voice broke "Alex doesn’t even know it’s him, he can’t see, Paxton let me go right now""And then what" Paxton leaned in "you pull him out crying in front of half the VIP, you think that’s better, Troy’s lik

The bass didn’t just play at The Vault, it lived in the walls and crawled straight up through Alex’s shoes until it was in his chest. The air was thick with gin and smoke and something sweet that made his head spin. It was designed to make people forget themselves, and that was exactly why he came."Alex, we can still leave," Kevin said, his arm locked around Alex’s shoulders as they pushed through the crowd. His voice was tight. "Seriously man, this isn’t you. If Troy got in your head, don’t do something stupid to prove him wrong."Alex didn’t look at him. "I’m not leaving.""Then at least tell me why," Kevin pressed. "Because the Alex I know doesn’t walk into The Vault on a Saturday night. The Alex I know hides in the library.""This isn’t about who I was," Alex said, his voice flat. "This is about who I’m going to be."Kevin looked genuinely worried. "You don’t know what happens in this place. You don’t know what people do upstairs. If something goes wrong...""Then it goes wrong,"