LOGINVedant I wake with a stiff neck to my phone buzzing.It takes a moment for my surroundings to clarify. I’m lying back on a chair with a throw pillow behind my head. The morning light is streaming through the cracks in the blinds.And Chiara is across the room, lying in the bed we were meant to be s
ChiaraThis is supposed to be a celebration of my success with Vedant, but I can’t feel any of it. Throughout the night, I am numb, playing back what Alice said over and over. Thinking of Vedant and the decision he made.It eclipses all the joy around me. No matter how many people approach to congra
I tell myself that I should confront her. It’s the same argument I’ve had for days at this point. But before I can decide, Alice drifts toward me, all perfume and thick makeup.“Fancy seeing you here,” she says softly, touching my arm. “What’s wrong, Vedant? You look tense. Is it because of the room
Vedant It was not lost on me that the trip was supposed to be a reward. A time for celebration.Instead, it’s an exercise in restraint.Every moment that I am in Chiara’s presence, I wonder if this was the time I will ask her. So many times it was on the tip of my tongue. Are you Iris? But then I
ChiaraThe arena is still buzzing half an hour later, and we are still taking congratulations from passing pack members. As time goes on, my pulse finally begins to slow from the rush of victory, but I can’t stop smiling.For once, things feel right.Vedant stands a few feet away, his hands on his h
Vedant Now that I have a person willing and able to sleuth for me online, I know exactly who my next target is. I send Alex all the details about her and wait.Iris. I need to know who she is.I have spent so much time thinking about her, wondering who she is, and now I know someone who can help me







