LOGINI turned slowly, taking it all in. My mother leaned in the doorway beside Zane with her arms crossed tightly over her chest.“Like I said,” she muttered. “Gone. Took off the moment she had a chance to. With my dress and everything.” She shook her head bitterly. “I mean, it makes no sense! I told her
Callum’s POV“Zane, what point are you trying to make? You’re talking in circles.”“The point is that I think you owe me a little credit, Callum,” Zane huffed. “I mean, I’m basically the whole reason you two are even together right now! I feel like that deserves some kind of acknowledgment at minimu
“Something subtler,” Callum’s mother added.“Yes.” Callum’s father paused.. “There are other ways to handle it. Something that looks natural. An accident, maybe, or…”I didn’t linger to hear the rest of it.I pushed off the wall. My heart was slamming so hard I could feel it in my ears, my throat, m
Liora’s POVMy stomach sank as I heard those words.“I could hardly keep a straight face all through dinner,” Callum’s mother said. “Seeing her sit there in my gown like she had any business wearing it.”A soft clink of crystal followed. His father’s voice, flat and dry, responded: “What possessed y
Liora’s POV“Zane.” Callum’s father set down his fork. “What are you doing here?”“Yes,” Callum said slowly, jaw tightening. “What are you doing here?”Zane’s smile didn’t waver. “Don’t everyone jump up to hug me at once,” he laughed. “I was just passing through and I saw your car out front. Figured
I opened my eyes to see her holding a large gift box with a bow on top. Grinning, she nodded to it. I reached out and carefully lifted the lid, and gasped.Inside was an exquisite lace gown made of a deep mauve fabric. On top of it sat a pair of delicate diamond earrings and a matching necklace. The
. “My date ditched me.”Date? She had a real date? Wonder when that happened.“It was probably just a prank when he asked last minute,” she added quickly, fiddling with the edge of her cup. “Still… it felt nice.”“Well,” I shrugged, stretching out my legs beneath the table, “his loss.”Mia looked li
Liora I hadn't worn heels in a few months, but tonight I moved like I was born in them.Because I prctially was.Click. Click. Click.Each step down the marble staircase echoed like a countdown, like the past calling me home.The ballroom stretched out before me, impossibly vast, trimmed in gold le
Callum didn’t respond. Just pressed his lips together like he was holding in something that tasted bitter.I leaned back, eyes drifting to the mirror across from us.My hair curled perfectly today, soft waves pinned with gold clips like little crowns running down my part. My outfit hugged every curv
“Callum!” Bianca’s voice sliced through the air, rising above the music and soft conversation below. “Where did you go?!”And just like that, the spell broke.The tension in my shoulders returned. The weight. The roles.Who was I kidding?Liora was done with me. Done with the silence, the empty glan







