ログインBy noon, the hangover had transitioned into a hollow, gnawing hunger. I padded into the kitchen, my bare feet silent on the cold marble. I hadn't bothered with a real outfit—I just threw on an oversized vintage t-shirt that swallowed my frame, reaching just past my mid-thigh. I hadn't even put on a bra, the soft cotton brushed against my skin, and the chill of the industrial-sized kitchen made my nipples peak prominently against the thin fabric.I just wanted coffee and toast. Something simple. Something that didn't require a chef.I managed to get the toaster going, the smell of browning bread finally making me feel human again. But the artisanal coffee beans were tucked away on the highest shelf of a sleek, white-lacquered cupboard."Who even designs these things? Giants?" I muttered, dragging a heavy wooden stool toward the counter.It wasn't enough. I stood on my tiptoes, my fingers straining toward the silver canister. I reached higher, my back arching as I stretched every i
The steaming hot shower did little to wash away the pounding in my head, but it managed to scrub the scent of the frat house off my skin. I dressed in a simple oversized sweater and leggings—something comfortable enough to hide the fact that I felt like I was vibrating out of my own skin.I descended the grand staircase with cautious steps, my hand gripping the mahogany railing. As I reached the bottom, the clink of silver against china led me toward the dining room. The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making everything look too bright, too clean, and far too perfect. My mother and William were already seated at the head of the massive table, a spread of fruit, pastries, and coffee laid out between them. Xavier was nowhere to be seen. "Summer! Good morning, darling," my mother chirped, her face glowing with a level of happiness that felt almost offensive. "You’re just in time. Come, sit. "William offered a polite nod, his eyes kind behind his glasse
The silence in the car was more suffocating than the smell of the party. Xavier had spent five minutes cleaning the side of his car with a rag he kept in the trunk, his movements stiff and radiating a quiet, vibrating fury. When he finally got into the driver’s seat, he didn't look at me. He just slammed the gear into reverse and tore away from the curb.I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, the world outside a blur of streetlights and shadows. My stomach felt like it had been through a blender, and my throat burned."I told you I hate you" I whispered, my voice cracking."The feeling is mutual, believe me," Xavier snapped, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. "But unfortunately for both of us, if you end up dead or in some guy's bed on your first night, my father will make it my problem. I don't like problems, Summer. Especially ones that smell like cheap vodka and regret""You don't know anything about me," I muttered, closing my eyes. "You think
The bass was a physical force, vibrating through the soles of my sneakers and rattling my ribcage before I even crossed the threshold. It was 7:00 PM and the Sigma Chi house was glowing like a neon-lit monster in the middle of the dark street.I stood on the sidewalk, my fingers twisting the hem of my denim skirt. Part of me wanted to turn around, call Arthur, and retreat to the silent safety of the Knight mansion. But then I remembered my mother’s fake smile and Xavier’s cold, mocking "Princess," and I realized I’d rather be anywhere else but there.I took a breath and walked in.The air inside was thick—a mix of cheap beer, expensive perfume, and sweat. It was fucking wild. In the foyer alone, a couple was practically fused together against the wall, oblivious to the crowd surging past them. Red cups were everywhere, and the music was so loud it felt like it was trying to beat my heart for me."Summer! You actually came!"I turned to see Maya weaving through the chaos, a bright
The weekend had been a haunting exercise in avoidance. I had moved around the Knight mansion like a ghost, slipping into the kitchen for coffee only when I was sure the hallways were clear. Xavier had vanished—no smoke trails, no heavy boots, no dark stares. It was as if the house itself was holding its breath after the explosion at dinner.But Monday morning arrived with the cold reality of a new life.I sat in the back of a silver Mercedes, the leather seats cool against my bare legs. William had insisted on the driver—a silent man named Arthur—despite my protests that I could take the bus. To William, image was everything. To me, being dropped off in a car that cost more than a suburban house was like wearing a neon sign that read Outsider.As we pulled through the ivy-covered gates of Evermore University, my stomach did a slow, nauseating flip. The campus was a stunning collection of red-brick buildings and manicured quads, looking every bit like the elite institution it was.
The door to my "suite" clicked shut, muffling the sounds of my mother’s frantic apologies to William downstairs.I leaned my back against the heavy oak wood and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. My heart was still hammering against my ribs, a frantic rhythm that had nothing to do with the climb up the stairs and everything to do with the way Xavier Knight had looked at me.Gold-digger family.The words stung because, deep down, a part of me feared he was right about my mother. But the way he had said it—like I was something he’d found stuck to the bottom of his boot—made my blood boil.I looked around the room. It was huge. Larger than our entire living room back home. The bed was draped in silk, the furniture was antique white, and a massive bay window offered a view of the sprawling gardens. It was a room designed for a princess."Too bad I’m not wearing a crown," I muttered, dropping my duffel bag on the pristine carpet.I spent the next hour unpacking, forcing m







