Chapter 17

CHARLOTTE’S POV

By the time I returned to the university the following morning, I had spent most of the drive convincing myself not to become paranoid. Lucas had threatened me, someone had photographed me entering Zade’s estate, and Zade’s sister had made it clear that his family was far more complicated than I understood. I couldn’t spend every day wondering who was watching me or who might be hiding something. I still had classes, assignments, exams, and a life to live.

Unfortunately, Sophie seemed determined to make that difficult.

She was waiting outside my first lecture with two cups of coffee, smiling as though the past few weeks had never happened. For a second, I remembered the friend she used to be, the girl who knew my coffee order and always complained when I arrived late to class. Then I remembered finding her with Lucas and the humiliation that followed.

“Good morning, Charlotte,” Sophie greeted as she held one of the cups toward me, her smile warm enough to seem genuine. “I remembered your usual order, so I picked one up because I thought maybe we could have a better morning than we've been having lately.”

I looked at the cup before accepting it, still unsure what to make of her sudden kindness.

“Thank you,” I replied as I adjusted my bag on my shoulder. “That was thoughtful, but you didn't have to.”

“I know I didn't,” Sophie answered as she walked beside me toward the lecture hall. “I just want you to know that I'm trying, Charlotte. I know things between us aren't fixed, but I don't want everything to feel awkward whenever we're around each other.”

“I appreciate that you're trying,” I told her as I took a small sip of the coffee. “But things aren't going to suddenly feel normal again. We both know that.”

She nodded as she opened the lecture hall door.

“I know,” Sophie replied as she followed me inside. “I'm not expecting you to forget what happened. I just want you to know I'm here if you need me.”

Her words should have comforted me, but instead I wondered why she seemed so determined to remind me that she was available.

The questions continued throughout the morning. Sophie wanted to know where I had been staying, whether I was returning to my apartment, and whether everything was okay after Lucas confronted me. She asked casually enough that I couldn't accuse her of anything, but there was a pattern I couldn't ignore.

“I've just had a lot going on,” I answered as I arranged my books. “I'm handling it, though, so you don't have to worry about me.”

“I know you can handle yourself,” Sophie replied as she gave me a small smile. “But you don't have to handle everything alone.”

I said nothing because the professor entered the room, but her questions stayed with me.

At lunch, Sophie joined me again, and I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. That decision didn't last long.

“So, I have to ask you something,” Sophie began as she stirred her drink, watching my reaction. “Do you think Professor Stone is attractive?”

I nearly choked on my drink.

“Why would you ask me that?” I questioned as I stared at her. “He's my professor.”

Sophie laughed as she leaned back.

“I'm just asking because everybody notices him,” she explained. “He's attractive, wealthy, intelligent, and half the girls on campus seem to find excuses to speak to him. You must have noticed.”

“Of course I've noticed people pay attention to him,” I answered as I picked up my fork. “That doesn't mean I spend my time thinking about him.”

“But you've noticed how women react to him,” Sophie insisted as she watched me closely. “And somehow you're always comfortable around him.”

I lowered my fork.

“Why are you so interested in my relationship with my professor?” I asked as I studied her. “Because this doesn't sound like casual conversation anymore.”

Her expression changed briefly before she laughed.

“I'm just curious,” Sophie replied as she reached for her drink. “You two seem comfortable around each other, and after everything with Lucas, I thought maybe you'd met someone else.”

“I haven't,” I answered as I gathered my things. “And I'd rather not discuss my professor with you.”

Her smile disappeared for a moment.

“Okay,” she said as she lowered her eyes. “I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable.”

I studied her before nodding.

“It's fine,” I replied as I stood. “Just don't keep asking questions about him.”

“Of course,” Sophie promised as she nodded quickly. “I was only trying to help.”

I walked away, but something about the conversation bothered me. Her questions weren't really about me. They were about Zade, where I was staying, and the changes in my life she had clearly noticed.

By the time I entered Zade's afternoon class, I had almost pushed the conversation aside. Zade was already at the front of the room, but he seemed distracted. He checked his phone several times and kept glancing toward the classroom door.

After the lecture, I waited until everyone had left before approaching his desk.

“Is everything okay?” I asked as I stopped in front of him. “You've been distracted all afternoon.”

Zade looked at me before sighing.

“Lucas is investigating me,” he explained as he lowered his voice. “Someone connected to him has been trying to access information about my employment and background, and I don't know exactly what he's looking for yet.”

My stomach tightened.

“Do you think he'll release the photograph?” I asked as I stepped closer. “He already threatened to use it against you.”

“I don't know what he'll do,” Zade admitted as he gathered his papers. “That's why I need you to be careful about the people around you.”

His warning immediately made me think of Sophie.

“Do you think someone around me could be helping him?” I asked as I searched his expression.

“I don't have proof of that,” Zade answered. “I'm not going to accuse anyone without evidence, but people sometimes use friendship to gain information they couldn't obtain directly.”

I thought about Sophie's questions, her sudden kindness, and the way she kept bringing up Zade.

“Do you think it could be someone I already know?” I asked quietly.

“I think you should trust your instincts without letting fear control you,” he replied. “If someone makes you uncomfortable, you don't owe them personal information just because you know them.”

Before I could respond, a familiar voice came from the hallway.

“Charlotte?”

I turned and saw Sophie standing outside the classroom.

“I've been looking everywhere for you,” she said as she smiled. “I thought we could walk together.”

I glanced at Zade before picking up my bag.

“I'll see you later,” I told him as I walked toward the door.

Sophie waited until I joined her before speaking.

“Are you okay?” she asked as we walked down the corridor. “You seemed serious when I called you.”

“I'm fine,” I replied. “What did you need?”

She hesitated before lowering her voice.

“Lucas has been asking questions about you,” Sophie explained. “I'm worried he'll do something reckless, and I thought you should know.”

I stopped walking.

“How do you know what Lucas has been asking?” I questioned as I studied her face. “You haven't been around him when he's spoken to me, so how exactly do you know what he's doing?”

For a moment, Sophie looked caught off guard.

“I heard things,” she answered quickly. “People talk around campus, Charlotte.”

I didn't believe her, but I didn't want another confrontation.

“Whatever Lucas is doing, I'll handle it,” I told her as I stepped around her. “You don't need to get involved.”

“I'm only trying to protect you,” Sophie insisted as she followed me.

“I know,” I replied without looking back. “But I can protect myself.”

I continued toward the campus exit, but the moment I stepped outside, I noticed a man standing beside a black car across the street. I had never seen him before, yet the way he watched the campus entrance made me uncomfortable.

When his eyes met mine, he didn't look away.

I immediately remembered Zade's warning and turned around, heading back toward the university.

My phone vibrated inside my bag.

I pulled it out and saw an unknown number on the screen. There was only one message.

You should be more careful about the people you trust. Sophie isn't the person you think she is.