All Chapters of Broken Then Desired : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

POV: ScarlettThe yellow school bus rumbled and shook all the way back to school. The ride felt like it would never end. The whole time, I kept my eyes locked on Simon. The nerdy boy with the thick glasses who had followed me at City Hall. He knew I was watching him. I could see the tightness in his shoulders. He sat completely still in his seat, staring at the scratched blue plastic in front of him. He didn’t turn his head. He didn’t look back even once. He didn’t talk to the person next to him. He just sat there, frozen, like a mouse that knows a cat is nearby.When the bus finally hissed to a stop in the school parking lot, I was the first one out the door. My boots hit the hot pavement. I stood there and watched as everyone else slowly shuffled out. Simon got off near the very back. He was practically hiding behind Kelsey, using her like a human shield. He looked like a scared rabbit trying to be invisible. We were back on school property now. What trouble could he possibly cause

POV: Jack Cole The past week has been pure torture. I feel like a prisoner in my own life. I can't step outside without feeling eyes on me. Every news channel, every radio station, every newspaper, they are all still talking about my disgrace. They play that terrible clip over and over like a broken record. There I am, standing like a statue on that stage. The other mayor, his face purple with rage, yelling so loud the microphones crackle. And that cursed name… Victor. They won't let it go. They say it every time, dragging my failure back into the light. Because of that disaster, every two-bit thug in this city has found new courage. Crime rates have jumped. People are locking their doors earlier, looking over their shoulders. And who do they point fingers at? Me. They say I've lost control. They say the city is rotting under my watch. I am filled with a rage so hot it burns my throat. I can't think. I lash out at every little thing. My driver, Paul, is taking me to City Hall. The

POV: Scarlett I sat on the edge of my bed, the soft blanket wrinkled under me. My phone felt heavy in my hand. I tapped the screen and the message from Ayden appeared. The words were short. Simple. But they felt huge. Meet me at Big-Hearts Cafe. One hour. Please. My heart did a hard, painful thump against my ribs. Big-Hearts Cafe. I knew it. Of course I knew it. That was the place Emily used to love. The place she thought was so special, so safe. The place where she made those silly, happy memories with him. Back when she was stupid. Back when she believed Ayden was a good person, a kind person. Back when she thought he saw her. And now he wanted to meet me there. Scarlett. Not Emily. He had no clue they were the same girl. The thought made a cold laugh bubble up in my throat, but I swallowed it down. I stood up so fast the room tilted. My fist clenched at my side so tight my nails bit into my palm. I wanted to break something. I wanted to march down to that cafe right now and sl

POV: Victor Today has been a long day. A very long day. My body is tired. My mind is full of plans. Problems. Threats. Names like Jack Cole spin in my head. But for reasons I know too well, deep in my bones, I do not want to go home. The last time I saw her… in the hallway… her skin under my hands… she was willing. More than willing. Her breath hitched. Her eyes were dark with want. I could have taken it further. I wanted to. My blood was hot. But I stopped and yeah the knock didn't stop me, couldn't have stopped me My life is not simple. It is complicated. It is dark. It is dangerous. Men like me leave scars on the world. On people. She has so much light in her still. So much fire. I pulled her from the ashes and gave her a new life. A new name. A new strength. I do not want to tie her to my shadows. I do not want to wreck the beautiful, fierce thing she has become. I gave her this life. I will not be the one who ruins it. My car moves through the streets toward home. My driver

POV SCARLETT The laughter in the cafe was like a big, warm blanket. It wrapped around all of us, loud and happy. I was sitting high up on Ayden’s shoulders. My knees were hooked tight under his arms. Down below, the world was a fun, blurry mix of smiling faces and bright lights. Right across from me, Julie sat on her boyfriend Tom’s shoulders. We were both grinning like fools, trying to catch our breath. We were ready for the last big round. “This is it, folks! The final round!” The cafe worker was our referee. He shouted into his hands like a microphone. “The winners get the giant teddy bear and that huge tub of ice cream! Remember, best two out of three! You girls set?” I leaned down and patted the top of Ayden’s head. His hair was soft. “You feeling steady down there?” I called to him. His answer was a happy shout. “Like a rock! Let’s go win this thing!” We had already won the first round. It was a good fight. Julie and I had pushed and grappled for a long time. My arms had go