e left behind was worse than the shouting. Students had witnessed everything. Some whispered loudly as they p

e, careful movements, as though nothing had happened. As thoug

with concern. "Seraphina, are you okay? Ser

ould put ice on it, at least let it -"

e it is," Seraphina said sharply, steppi

with her, unsure how to help without making things worse. Kiara shi

"we're your roommates. If something is happening at home, you

cold and guarded. "Did I ask you to handle it? Did I

cerned about you. That's all. Anyone wou

ina replied, her voice low. "I didn't ask f

nally broke through, her voice rising. "We're trying to be the

between caring and interfering," Seraphina shot back.

ily in the room. For

re only trying to help, Seraphina. You don't h

ina said, her tone final. "If I w

ching them like a shield against her chest, and left the

carry whatever burden she was carrying by herself. But something in her expression, that mixture of shame and fierce p

, reviewing a report Sebastian had placed before him. The rain drummed

the desk. "If everything goes according to plan, we'll strengthen

fore we proceed," Lucien said without looking up.

e way," Sebastian said dryly. Lucien turne

chair, a smirk forming. "So, are we pretending Valentina never

jaw tightening. "I have nothing to discuss a

. Three years. You don't just eras

d flatly, finally looking up. "Not because I chose he

row. "And now? What's th

ater things ahead of it than my failed relation

er, are you? You're twenty-four, not a

saying romance isn't my priority. It hasn'

knock. Alexander Cole walked in, looking unusually pleased with

news. Good news, fo

yourself for something you hav

ents. Romeo King will host it, and they'll select Miss West Ridge and Mr.

d. "That sounds entertaining. Very ent

he entire campus is expected to attend. Alumni, f

, looking directly at Lucien with mischief. "He might finally

d his attention to the page as if neither of them had sp

, shaking his hea

er desk as if the morning had never happened. Her face was calm, her postur

er, her hands fidgeting nervously.

k up from her book.

your father. I feel like we left

hing. There's nothing to

ough nothing happened," Bella said, her voice trembling slightly. "We h

and finally looked at her. "I can't expect you not t

Seraphina! We live together. We share everything, food, se

private life, Bella," Seraphina replied coldly. "

took a breath. "We are not investiga

it shook with restrained emotion. "My father is my problem. Mine. I don't need your sympathy, your

aid, her voice cracking with emotion. "I

listening but hard. "Sometimes, the way people treat you,

nswer that wouldn't make the argument

sharp movements. "Leave my family out of your conversations, and

strated, her eyes shining with unshed tears. I wanted to say something to comfort her, b

boys and dreams and the future. Now, it felt as though each of us was living behind a locked door