LOGINJulian led me through a side door to the balcony. The cool air hit my bare shoulders and I breathed in — night jasmine, cut grass, the faint electric charge that a full moon pressed into the atmosphere.Below us, the gardens stretched silver under the moonlight. Inside, the music continued, muffled
His grip tightened around my wrist.“Don’t twist this around, Kaia.” His face darkened, embarrassment quickly turning into anger. “I’ve already made my decision. I’m willing to accept your feelings and give you the chance you’ve always wanted.”“Your decision came too late, Adrian.” I pulled my wris
AdrianMy father's voice cut through the car."Charity is an investment, Adrian. You spend to build loyalty. Influence. Reputation." A pause — the kind that meant worse was coming. "What you did was throw money at a crowd because a girl made you look foolish. Half the campus knows. You didn't buy go
Julian didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to."Look at her hand." He nodded toward me. "The bra she's holding still has the store tag on it. She grabbed it off the display ten seconds ago."The crowd's eyes dropped to my hand. The price tag dangled from the strap, still attached. Brand new. Neve
The mating ball was ten days away, and I didn't have a dress.Tessa dragged me to Moonveil Boutique on Saturday morning — a narrow three-story shop on the main strip packed with gowns and sequins and girls running their fingers through tulle."So." Tessa held a mint-green dress against her chest and
Julian was waiting by the school gates when the last bell rang."Dinner?" He fell into step beside me, hands in his pockets, collar popped. "I know a place with excellent steak and terrible decision-making.""Busy." I didn't slow down. "Training."His eyebrows drew together in mock offense. Then the







