LOGINXavier’s POV
I couldn't stop laughing as our car pulled away from the house. The image of Tara standing there in nothing but a towel, frantically pulling at that bathroom door handle, was absolutely perfect.
Jasper was practically doubled over in the backseat beside me. "The way she said 'this sounds reasonable' when we suggested going to school together, like we were actually doing her some kind of favor!"
"She probably thinks we're bonding or some shit," I said, wiping tears from my eyes. "Three days of fake niceness and she completely forgot every single thing we've done to her. How stupid can one person be?"
The cab driver glanced at us in the rearview mirror, probab
Tara’s POVI walked out of the hospital with Jasper beside me, my legs feeling shaky and my emotions completely raw. Everything that had just happened with Sarah and her mother had left me feeling drained and overwhelmed.“That was intense,” I said quietly as we stepped out into the late afternoon sunlight.“You did a good job in there,” Jasper said, his voice warm with approval. “Standing up to Sarah’s mother like that. Not many people would have had the courage to do what you did.”“I just couldn’t watch her treat Sarah that way,” I said, my voice still thick with emotion. “She needed someone to tell her the truth.”“And you did,” Jasper confirmed. “I think your words really got through to her. Did you see how guilty she looked?”“I hope so,” I said. “Sarah deserves better.”We walked in silence for a moment before I glanced at my phone and realized how much time had passed. It was already early evening.“Oh no,” I said, stopping in my tracks. “I completely lost track of time. I sti
Jasper’s POV“Help!” Tara screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice cracking with panic. “Somebody help us! Please!”Maria came running out of the house first, her face going pale when she saw Sarah collapsed on the ground. Within seconds, she was on her phone calling for an ambulance while other staff members rushed out to see what was happening.“She just fainted,” I explained quickly, keeping my hand on Sarah’s wrist to feel for a pulse. “We were about to go for a walk and she just collapsed.”“The ambulance is on its way,” Maria said, kneeling down beside Sarah and gently touching her forehead. “Mija, can you hear me?”Sarah didn’t respond. Her face was so pale it was almost gray, and her breathing was shallow.The ambulance arrived within minutes, the paramedics taking over and carefully loading Sarah onto a stretcher. Tara and I climbed into the back of the ambulance with her, both of us refusing to leave her side. Maria said she would contact Sarah’s parents immediately and m
Jasper’s POVAs Sarah was about to lead us up the stairs, I caught the gesture the head maid had made, that subtle shake of her head that seemed to carry a warning or concern. Something about it made me uncomfortable.“Sarah,” I said, stopping at the base of the stairs. “Are you sure we need to go to your room? We can talk just fine in the sitting room. It’s comfortable there.”Sarah turned to look at me, and I could see the surprise in her expression. “It’s okay, Jasper. Really. She’s just looking out for me, that’s all.”“Looking out for you, how?” I pressed gently.Sarah glanced back at the maid, who had returned to her dusting but was clearly still paying attention to us. “Can we just go upstairs? I’ll explain everything once we’re in my room.”“Okay,” I agreed, though I still felt uneasy about the whole situation.We followed Sarah up the grand staircase and down a long hallway lined with expensive-looking paintings and sculptures. Finally, she stopped at a door near the end of t
Tara’s POVI knew Sarah came from money. She always dressed well, carried nice things, and had that polished look that came from having resources. But standing in front of her house now, seeing the actual scale of her family’s wealth, I realized I had severely underestimated just how rich her family was.The security guard at the gate checked our names against a list before opening the massive iron gates and gesturing for us to walk up the long driveway. Jasper and I exchanged wide-eyed glances as we approached the front door.“This is insane,” Jasper whispered. “This place is like a mansion from a movie.”“I know,” I whispered back, feeling suddenly very underdressed and out of place.We rang the doorbell, and within seconds, the door was opened by an actual butler. He was dressed in a formal suit and looked like he’d stepped out of a period drama.“Miss Tara and Mr. Jasper, I presume?” he said with a slight bow. “Miss Sarah is expecting you. Please, come in.”We stepped inside and b
Tara’s POV I paid the driver and stepped out, taking a moment to gather myself before walking up to the front door. I had no idea what state Tony would be in or what he was going to tell me, but I knew I needed to be prepared for anything.I knocked on the door and waited. After a moment, Tony answered. He looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes and his hair uncombed. But he managed a small smile when he saw me.“Tara,” he said. “Thanks for coming. Come in.”———An hour and a half later, I was emotionally drained as I climbed into another Uber, this time heading to Jasper’s house. My conversation with Tony had been intense and heavy. He’d talked about his guilt, his regret, his fear about what would happen next. I’d listened and tried to offer support, but I felt like my words were inadequate for the magnitude of what he was dealing with.I texted Jasper as we got close to his house. Almost there. Be ready.Already waiting outside, he replied immediately.Sure enough, when the
Tara’s POVI woke up early on Saturday morning, earlier than I normally would on a weekend. The sunlight was just starting to filter through my curtains, painting soft golden streaks across my bedroom walls. For a moment, I just lay there staring at the ceiling, mentally preparing myself for the emotionally intense day ahead.Visiting Tony. Then Sarah with Jasper. And finally, meeting Jake in the evening.It was going to be exhausting, but I was determined to be there for everyone who needed me.I dragged myself out of bed and headed downstairs, where I found my mom already in the kitchen making breakfast. The smell of coffee and toast filled my nostrils immediately.“You’re up early for a Saturday,” my mom observed with a smile. “Big plans today?”“Yeah, pretty big,” I said, pouring myself a glass of orange juice. “I’m visiting a couple of friends who are going through some tough times. And then I have plans later in the evening too.”“Sounds like a full day,” my mom said. “Do you ne







