"You were crying..." he breathes, just as my fingers tangle in his hair. "Does it have something to do with me?" His hair is too soft. Too easy to touch. I drag my fingers deeper into his scalp. The scent of his cologne wraps around me—sharp, dark, addictive. My heart hammers. "Why would you think you made me cry?" "I made you do things you didn’t want to do. Disgusting things." His eyes shut, heavy with guilt. "I’m sorry." I laugh—quiet and bitter. "Your guilt showed up right after a fight with your girlfriend? How convenient." I tug his hair, deliberately. His lips part. A breath escapes him. God—how can someone look this good? Those stormy gray eyes could ruin me. God help me—I don’t stop. "Sofia..." His voice is strained. "I thought it was Miss Carson now," I murmur, letting my nails graze his scalp. He melts under my hands. His tension slips away. His lips twitch. “You sound jealous.” "I’m not," I lie—heat still curling in my chest. “She’s not my
Sofia's Pov “Oh my God. That disgusting piece of shit,” Mia breathes, voice trembling. Keira freezes. She turns slowly, and when she sees her—her whole body jolts. “Mia…” she whispers, halfway to standing. But Mia’s already moving—stumbling forward, eyes glassy. She drops to her knees and wraps Keira in her arms like she’s afraid she might disappear. “Oh my God,” Mia chokes out. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t know you were going through all of that.” Keira breaks. She clings to Mia, sobbing into her shoulder like it’s been building—waiting—for this exact moment to shatter. And Mia? She cries too. Loud. “I’m sorry, Mia,” Keira weeps. “I wanted to tell you—I did. So many times…” “No, I’m sorry,” Mia says, pulling back just enough to cup her face. “I should’ve seen it. I let my jealousy make me blind. I hurt you, Keira.” I don’t even realize I’m crying until a tear hits my wrist. I turn away. This hurts in a way I didn’t see coming. Keira. The sna
Sofia's Pov “If I didn’t know better,” Mia says as we leave the lecture hall, “I’d say Professor Lucien’s totally into you.” I choke on air. “What? No. No way.” She raises a brow, clearly not buying it. “Mm-hmm. Where’d you dump Romeo’s flowers?” I nod toward the bench. “Right there. What am I supposed to do with them now?” She smirks. “Donate them to the Dating Club.” My eyes flick toward the club sign. “Wait… that’s not the worst idea.” “You’re not actually doing it.” “Watch me.” I march over and grab the bouquet l like they offended me personally. Mia trails behind, arms crossed. “So, you and Elijah—nothing?” “Uh…” “Wow,” she mutters. “Convincing.” We fall into a quiet rhythm as we head up the stairs toward the most ridiculous club on campus—the infamous Dating Club. Basically, if you’re crushing on someone and lack the spine to say it, you hand them your sad little love story, and they work their matchmaking magic. “I was thinking…” Mia starts, then trails off. I g
This might officially be the worst day of my life—well, this month. If we subtract the whole Lucien thing. First, I have to doll up and smile through my mom’s stepdaughter’s birthday party tomorrow, pretending I belong while watching them play happy family. Then there’s my two best friends—on the verge of destroying fourteen years of friendship over a guy who’s not even worth the tears. And now? Now his best friend, who clearly doesn’t understand what quiet rejection means, is kneeling like he just won boyfriend of the year—grinning, holding a stupidly gorgeous bouquet like this is some kind of fairytale. People are starting to gather now, some already pulling out their phones. The hallway buzzes. Whispers. Stares I blink once. Twice. His grin grows wider. Mia lets out a breath like she’s choking on air. “Please tell me he’s not doing what I think he’s doing.” “Well, I just wanted to give these beautiful flowers to the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever laid my eyes on,” Elijah
Sofia's Pov “Grandma, I’m heading out!” I call, still chewing pancakes as I swing my bag over one shoulder. “Will you slow down and chew like a human being?” she says, walking in with a dish towel in her hand, apron still tied around her waist. “I’ve got a ten o’clock lecture, Grandma.” I lean over, press a quick kiss to her cheek, and head for the door. “Wait—Sofia.” I stop. She rarely uses that tone unless it matters. I glance back. She’s standing still, drying her hands slowly, her gaze pinned on me. “Are you going to your mother’s stepdaughter’s birthday party tomorrow?” The words land like a slap I wasn’t ready for. I freeze, hand resting on the doorknob. My chest tightens in that quiet spot beneath my ribs—the one I’ve learned to ignore. I force a breath. Try to sound normal. “I don't have a choice.” Her face softens, but she doesn’t say anything. “She called,” Grandma adds gently. “Was really upset about you leaving what she bought you out on the
Lucien's Pov The water was ice-cold. Didn’t matter. My cock was still rock hard. I dragged a hand down my face, wiping away the chill—but not the heat buzzing beneath my skin. Fuck. My reflection stared back. Dripping. Hair plastered to my forehead. Eyes burning. A maniac. That’s what I looked like. That’s what I was. Who the hell custom-makes a high school uniform and slips it into her shipment like some sick joke? Me. She might not remember that day. But I do. The first lecture. Then her—walking in like she didn’t give a damn. That ridiculous navy skirt. The too-neat blouse. The little clip-on tie. My breath had caught before I could even form a thought. Who comes to college in their high school uniform? I run my fingers over my temples. Lately, it’s hard to focus. Every day, my mind is somewhere else. A different thought. A different regret. Guilt knots in my chest. Tight. Ugly. Camilla deserved better. Hell, Sofia deserves better. Forgetting