LOGINVedant She’s not there when I return.A part of me had hoped against the odds that Chiara would still be there when I got back despite the late hour. But of course she’s not. She has a life outside of me.But what’s still there—and might be of some comfort to me—is my father’s liquor cabinet.Well,
Vedant I can’t believe that I’m back here already. Just hours ago, I had been here with Chiara. And in my mind, Iris had been alive.So much has changed, but I’m right back where I started the day. This time, though, I ask for where my father is when I arrive at the front desk.The nurse directs me
“Chiara,” I say. “Are you ok? Do you need something?”She shakes her head. “No. I’m fine.”But the truth is plainly different. She is burdened by something I can’t place.“Is there anything I can do? I know you must still be hurting–”“It’s not that,” she says, cutting me off.I blink. “Then what is
Chiara Vedant’s shoulders are slumped when he opens the door. His eyes are shadowed and unfocused, like he’s been drinking. It’s strange to see him like this when he’s always been so controlled and steady.But now he looks like something inside him has collapsed.I straighten at the sight of him, w
Vedant I go to the one place I know I still can return. Home. Even though I know my laptop is waiting for me there, devoid of any new messages from Iris. Because there will never be any new messages from her. Not anymore.Iris is dead.My chest still feels like it’s been cracked open, like someone
Vedant “What’s wrong?” Chiara’s worry is potent, and I feel immediately bad for causing her any additional harm while she’s recovering.“I, um…” I struggle to find the words. Are there even words to describe this? “I have to go.”I know I’m being abrupt, but I can’t have her see me like this. It’s
ChiaraI’ve never seen Vedant this angry. His fury is barely leashed and visible in every line of his body. Alice looks just as furious, but at the sight of Vedant, she has been cowed enough that her mouth has snapped closed.All I can do is stand there stupidly and watch this exchange. It’s like ob
ChiaraThe day starts out all wrong.The second I step into the school, I can sense it. It’s in the glances I keep getting, no matter where I walk. I hear it in the hissed whispering and the way conversations stop when I pass past.I’ve barely stepped over the school’s threshold before I’m set on hi
I see who sent it and notice that Alice included her speculation when she sent it to my father as well, expressing her concerns that Chiara was breaking in and trying to seduce me.My palms begin to sweat. This is bad. “It’s not what it—”“Alice sent this to me,” he interrupts sharply. “Along with t
VedantFortunately, the article found me before it made its way to my father. Emblazoned in bold type was the accusation: “Orphan Girl Manipulates Pack’s Most Eligible Bachelor.”I know what I’ll see before I can even open the link.And then she’s there, in my living room, smiling because she has no







