LOGINSandra and Kehlani nearly screamed when they saw Rose walk into class like a possessed pillow. “Oh my god,” Sandra whispered. “Who beat you in your sleep?” “No one. Why does everyone keep asking me that question?” Rose said flatly. “I just didn’t sleep.” “You look like you didn’t sleep,” Kehlani
The car was quiet at first. Luthor kept glancing sideways at Rose through the rearview mirror. She was doing that thing where she pretended she was “awake,” but in reality her eyes were one blink away from shutting down permanently. She sat stiffly, chin propped on her palm, the dark circles under
Not wanting to appear defeated by his niece’s words, Adrian swallowed his anger and forced a humorless laugh. “You’ve got Ruby’s sharp tongue, Rosy,” he said, the nickname twisting slightly on her nerves. “Don’t bring that name up here, Adrian,” William’s voice cut through, cold and dangerous. Eve
The second Rose closed her bedroom door, she pressed her back against it and finally let her real emotions erupt. “WHY—” she grabbed her head, “—did I open my stupid mouth?!” She slid dramatically down the door until she was sitting on the floor, hands covering her face. “My mission was to sta
Rose observed everything with quiet attention. She did not need to intervene, she told herself. And yet, when she saw Grace’s expression—small, stiff, trying not to show the ache in her chest—she felt the tug of responsibility, the small but insistent urge to speak. “Grandmother,” Rose said softly
Rose entered the dining room, the quiet click of her heels echoing softly against the polished floor. She didn’t glance at anyone, didn’t pause to acknowledge the family who might already be waiting. Her eyes scanned the room and found the seat she wanted, the one farthest from the usual cluster, th







