جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Chapter 32 The next morning came too soon, like the universe was conspiring against any chance of peace. I woke up with a heavy heart that felt like it was anchored to the throbbing pain in my ankle. The crutches leaning against the wall were a glaring reminder of how fragile everything had become my body, my secrets, my entire world. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, but it did nothing to lift the fog in my mind. Mia had already left for school; I could hear the faint echo of that same cheerful tune she always hummed, the one that grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. It was too perky, too fake, especially after everything that had happened.Mom poked her head into my room, her eyes soft with worry. “Lily, honey, stay home and rest today. Don’t push yourself. That ankle needs time.” Her voice was gentle, the kind of tone she used when she actually cared, but it was brief, like she had a dozen other things pulling at her attention.“No, Mom, I’m going to school. I can

Mia’s povThe bell for the next period rang somewhere in the distance, but I barely heard it over the pounding in my ears. The courtyard doors had just swung shut behind Lucian and Lily, his arm wrapped around her waist like she was some fragile prize he’d claimed. My blood was boiling literally boiling, hot and furious under my skin. How dare she? That clumsy, crutch-wielding nobody had the nerve to steal the spotlight again, and worse, Lucian had chosen her in front of everyone. Phones were still out, kids whispering and typing furiously into group chats. I could already imagine the captions: “Mia dumped for the fat girl?” “Love triangle explodes!” It made my stomach churn with rage and humiliation.I spun on my heel, spotting Max still standing there with that stupid, satisfied smirk on his face. He hadn’t even moved, watching the doors like he was replaying his little “choose” speech in his head. Perfect. If I couldn’t get to Lucian right now, I’d deal with this sudden Max complic

Mia’s pov The courtyard tree cast long shadows as I stood there, frozen behind the hedge like some pathetic spy in my own life. My nails dug into my palms so hard I was sure they’d leave marks. There they were Lucian and Lily kissing like the world around them didn’t exist. His hands were on her, sliding under her sweater, exploring her body with that hungry urgency I knew so well. I could practically feel it: the way his fingers would press into soft skin, the low groan he made when things got heated. God, I wanted to be the one there. I wanted his hands under my top, cupping and squeezing my breasts, his body hard and insistent against mine. I wanted to feel him, really feel him, pressing between my legs, wanting me the way he used to. Me. Not her.Instead, he was lost in that oversized girl my twin in his twisted little fantasy or whatever this was. Lily, with her crutches and her extra curves, the one who should have stayed invisible. How could he choose that over me? The jealous

Lily’s pov The music pulsed through the crowded room like a living thing, but after just one small sip of the drink Mia had handed me, an uneasy feeling settled deep in my stomach. It wasn’t the usual party buzz it felt sharper, wrong, like my thoughts were starting to blur at the edges too quickly. I suspected the drink immediately. Mia’s insistent cheer, that dangerous humming earlier… it all clicked. I wasn’t about to be her pawn. Glancing around to make sure she wasn’t watching, I swapped my cup with an untouched one on a nearby table, heart racing.Sure enough, Mia came bouncing back a minute later, her eyes bright and calculating. “Finish up your drink, Lily, and come on let’s have a dance!” She reached for my hand, then paused dramatically, covering her mouth with fake concern. “Oh, sorry. Forgot you have a broken leg. Not funny, right?”Her words stung, but I forced a smile, holding out the swapped drink. “Here, you drink yours too. Fair’s fair, right?” I took a pretend sip f

Mia’s pov The sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains felt like needles piercing my skull. I blinked awake slowly, my body aching in ways that told a story I didn’t want to remember. Max’s bed. Max’s room. The realization hit me like a truck, and fragments of the night before flooded back the party, then the drink ah i remember now the drink have prepared for Lily that i have accidentally downed myself, I’m sure she swapped it there’s no way I will behave like that if she has not swap my drink I will make her pay for this then I remember all the wild dancing, hands on my body, then Lucian no, Max pulling me away. The car. The back seat. The heat, the moans, the way I’d clung to him thinking he was Lucian.Rage boiled up instantly, hot and blinding. I shot upright, clutching the sheet to my chest, my dress crumpled on the floor like evidence of my humiliation. “How dare you touch me!” I screamed, voice cracking as tears stung my eyes. I shoved at Max, who was stirring beside me