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Chapter 41: Cracking the Crystal

Autor: Mirah Praise
last update Fecha de publicación: 2026-10-01 22:11:13

"...and so, as we look toward the next generation of leadership," Richard's voice continued across the ballroom speakers, "we are proud to announce the official corporate partnership and future family union between the Wilson family and the Cole family!"

The applause started near the front tables, a polite, expensive sound that spread across the room like wildfire. Rich donors in tuxedoes clapped their hands, and university board members nodded in complete agreement.

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  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 47: The Margin Note

    The sound of his shoes against the wooden floor came to a complete stop right beside my corner table.Leo didn't ask if the chair was free. He didn't sit down. He stood directly over my desk, bringing a sudden cloud of cold morning air and his familiar scent of woodsmoke into my small, quiet corner.Liya froze beside me, her eyes darting nervously between her brother and me. She carefully pulled her binder a few inches back, keeping her head down like she wanted to disappear into the carpet.Leo didn't look at Liya. He didn't look at the other students sitting two aisles over. His eyes stayed fixed entirely on me, holding a quiet, intense burn that felt like it could scorch through paper.Without saying a word initially, he reached down and set a thick, dark law textbook down onto the polished surface of my wooden table with a low, solid sound."Page 114," Leo said.His voice came out flat, crisp, and strictly professional, calculated perfectly for anyone who might be listening nearby

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 46: The Staircase Crossing

    The air in the library felt completely different the moment Leo stepped onto the landing.Mason was still laughing at Liya's joke, taking the last long gulp of his iced coffee. He crushed the paper cup lightly in his palm and threw it with perfect aim into the small recycling bin near the bookshelf."Alright, ladies," Mason said smoothly, tossing his track jacket over one shoulder as he stood up from the wooden chair. "If I don't get down to the field house right now, Coach Miller is going to make me run extra laps before the relay heats."Liya waved her hand with a bright smile. "Go, go! Don't let him catch you slacking off! And remember, you promised to win that heat for us on Wednesday!""I never break a promise," Mason chuckled, turning his attention to me. He leaned down slightly, reaching out to gently pat my shoulder twice. His hand was warm, his touch friendly and light. "See you in lecture at two, Ivy. Don't sit in the back row without me.""I won't, Mason," I said, giving hi

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 45: The Warm Coffee Cup

    Monday morning at eight in the morning came far too quickly.The entire campus was buzzing like a disturbed beehive. Everywhere you walked—along the stone walkways, inside the dining halls, near the dorm entrances—students were whispering about Saturday night's Greek Gala. The big announcement between the Wilson family and the Cole family was the only topic anyone cared to discuss. People held their phones out in small groups, showing each other blurbs and photos from the college blog, analyzing every expression, every photo, and every bit of gossip that had leaked from the ballroom.I sat at a quiet corner wood table on the second floor of the main library, trying my best to tune out the noise.My eyes felt heavy and tired, burning slightly as I stared down at the black-and-white printouts of my child psychology research papers. My mind kept pulling back to Saturday night on the cold terrace—to the sound of Maria’s heels on the stone path, to the dark velvet curtain, and to the absol

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 44: The Cold Exit

    POV: Ivy AdamsRight before Maria’s fingers could pull the velvet curtain back, Leo let go of my waist.He didn't hesitate for even a second. With smooth, quick precision, he stepped backward out into the open terrace light, sweeping the dark velvet fabric back into place behind his shoulders to completely cover my hiding spot.I stood frozen against the cold wall behind the curtain, holding my breath so tightly my chest burned."Looking for me, Maria?" Leo asked.His voice changed in a fraction of a second. The raw, desperate warmth that had been against my throat just moments ago was gone, replaced instantly by his cold, distant, arrogant tone.Maria stopped short on the stone terrace, startled by his sudden appearance."Leo!" Maria said, letting out a sharp breath of relief before her voice quickly filled with annoyance. She stepped closer, and I could hear the distinct sound of her high heels stopping right in front of him. She placed her hand on his chest, her rings clicking agai

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 43: Behind the Velvet Curtain

    Leo’s hand closed around my wrist before I could even turn my head.One second I was standing near the outdoor entrance of the ballroom, the next he was pulling me hard into the narrow space behind the thick velvet curtains. The fabric swallowed us both. Darkness pressed in. The noise of the party dropped to a muffled blur.My back hit the wall. His body followed, chest to chest, trapping me there. I could feel the quick rise and fall of his breathing against mine.“Quiet,” he whispered right against my ear. His voice was low and tight. “Don’t make a sound.”I opened my mouth to ask what was happening, but his hand came up and covered it. The warmth of his palm sealed my lips. His other hand slid down the soft fabric of my dress and gripped my lower hip, steadying me, pulling me closer so I wouldn’t lose my balance in the tight space.My eyes stayed wide open even though there was almost no light. I could feel every beat of his heart against my ribs. It was fast. Hard. Matching the w

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 42: The Garden Terrace Step

    "Liya, I need to step away for just a moment," I whispered, leaning close to her ear so my voice wouldn't carry over the noisy chatter of the crowd. "I'm going to find the restroom and fix my hair."Liya turned to me, her hand resting gently on my arm. Her eyes were still wide with worry over what had just happened in the center of the room."Are you sure you're okay, Ivy?" she asked softly, looking around at the guests who were still whispering about Leo. "I can come with you if you want. Maria's friends are watching us like hawks.""I'm completely fine, Liya," I assured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Just stay here and keep an eye on things. I'll be back in five minutes.""Okay," Liya said, nodding slowly. "Don't be long. If anyone gives you trouble, just call my phone."I smiled at her, turned around, and walked away from the crowded ballroom floor. But I didn't head toward the hallway restrooms. My chest felt tight, and my heart was beating so fast I could barely catch my

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 2: The Daytime Freeze

    I scrambled to the opposite end of the couch so fast my knee caught the edge of the coffee table. The sharp pain didn't even register. I jammed my laptop screen down, my chest heaving as I stared at the front door.Leo didn't blink. The heavy, suffocating heat that had been pressing against my neck

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 1: The Topic We Shouldn’t Touch

    "Liya said to wait inside. She’s running ten minutes late," I said, my voice tighter than I wanted it to be.I sat on the edge of the fabric couch, my laptop open on my knees, staring at the presentation slides we were supposed to finish tonight.Leo didn't answer. He didn't move away either. Inste

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 6: Pulled from the Hallway

    I violently jerked my head back, stepping away from Mason so fast his fingers dropped into thin air. "I have to go," I blurted out, my voice high and entirely frantic.Mason blinked, his hand still hovering where my face had just been. "Ivy? Wait, what about lunch? Are you okay?""I can't. I forgot

  • The Line I Shouldn't Cross    Chapter 5: The Wrong Set of Hands

    I pulled the heavy black hoodie over my head, letting the thick cotton swallow my soaked shirt. The scent of winter air and tobacco instantly wrapped around me, a warm shock to my shivering skin. I yanked the collar up high, checking the locker mirror to make sure the dark bruise on my neck was com

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