LOGINLeonardo’s POVThe water was red.At first, I didn’t understand what I was looking at.It shimmered under the dim bathroom light, thick and slow, curling around the porcelain edges of the bathtub like something alive.Then I saw the hand.Pale and still.Hanging over the side.My chest tightened.“No…”I stepped closer.Each movement felt heavy, like I was dragging myself through something invisible.The air smelled metallic.Familiar.Too familiar.I reached the edge of the tub.And that was when I saw his face.Ryker.His head tilted slightly to the side, eyes half-lidded, lips parted like he was about to say something—but never would.The water lapped softly against his skin.Red.Everywhere.
Ryker’s POVWhy would Leo suddenly want to see me behind the library?It had been almost a week since we last spoke. Not even a text. Not even a “come here” or “don’t be seen.” Nothing.And I knew it wasn’t because he didn’t have time.He had my number.If he wanted to reach me, he would have.So why now?I exhaled, dragging a hand through my face as I stood in front of the mirror.“Stop overthinking,” I muttered to myself.Leo was… Leo.He did things when he wanted, how he wanted, and no one questioned it.And honestly?I didn’t care how messed up it was.As long as he kept wanting me, that was enough.…Right?I grabbed the first decent shirt I could find and pulled it on quickly, barely pa
Ryker’s POVThese past few days have been a complete rollercoaster.Finals were in less than two weeks, and every professor suddenly decided that meant we shouldn’t have a single second of free time.Assignments.Surprise tests.Extra readings.It felt like they were all working together to make sure we either broke down or dropped out.I barely had time to breathe.And on top of that—I hadn’t seen Leonardo.Well… not exactly, I had seen him—around campus, in the halls, outside lecture buildings, always surrounded by the Sovereigns like he owned the place, like nothing in the world could touch him. But he hadn’t called me, hadn’t texted me, hadn’t even looked in my direction—not since the money, not since that night—and for some reason, that bothered me more than I wanted to adm
Ryker’s POV+$1000 deposited.For a moment I thought it was a mistake.My eyes scanned the screen again.Sender: UnknownThen I noticed the message attached.A single line.“So you can buy whatever coffee you want.”The phone slipped slightly in my hand.My chest tightened painfully.Leonardo.Of course it was Leonardo.My throat suddenly felt dry.Why would he do this?After I had refused to take the 100 bucks, he thought it was okay to send me a thousand?What goes on in that cocky head of his.I tried to calm down but my stomach twisted.Because it wasn’t just the money.It was what it meant.Like I could be bought with money, like I was just some cheap slut he paid off. The last thing I
Ryker’s POVThe kiss should have ended after a few seconds,that would have made a lot more sense.A mistake.A moment.Something we could both pretend never happened.But it didn’t end.Leonardo’s hand slid into my hair, fingers tightening slightly as he pulled me closer, and the world outside that tiny hallway simply… vanished.My back pressed against the wall, my hands clutching the front of his shirt like it was the only thing holding me upright.I could feel his breath against my mouth.Warm and steady.My heart pounded so hard it almost hurt.I had kissed a few people before.But nothing like this.Nothing that made my brain completely blank.Nothing that made me want—More.A lot more.The thought startled me.Because the mome
Leonardo’s POVNormally, I didn’t care about campus drama.Students argued. Rich kids threw tantrums. Scholarship kids fought to survive.None of it was my problem.I leaned against the café counter, waiting for my espresso, scrolling lazily through my phone while the low hum of conversation filled the room.The campus café was always busy around this hour. Students crowded the plush chairs, the scent of roasted coffee beans and sugar drifting through the air.I barely noticed any of it.Until I heard shouting.At first, it was just background noise.Then it got louder.“YOU’RE PAYING FOR THAT!”A girl’s voice. Sharp. Annoyed. Entitled.I sighed softly.Not my business.The barista slid my drink toward me.But the shouting didn’t stop.“You th







