Chapter 3

Julian didn't argue. He simply took her arm, his grip surprisingly strong, and steered her towards the door.

"Don't be difficult, Elara. It's important."

His tone brooked no refusal. Elara went, a cold knot of dread in her stomach. It was easier than fighting, for now.

At the Thorne summer house party in the Hamptons, the air was thick with money and privilege. Seraphina Hayes was there, draped over Julian's arm, her eyes glittering with a possessiveness that Elara had once dismissed as friendship. Seeing them together now, Seraphina's smug smile, Julian's easy intimacy with her, it was like a physical blow. Seraphina met Elara's gaze, a triumphant little smirk playing on her lips. The "why" of Julian's cruelty was standing right there, beautiful and vindictive.

Julian quickly excused himself, following Seraphina towards the sprawling gardens, leaving Elara alone by the pool. She felt exposed, vulnerable.

A moment later, Chad and Bryce appeared, smirking.

"Enjoying the party, scholarship girl?" Chad sneered.

"Julian's busy. Guess you're not his priority tonight," Bryce added, his eyes cruel.

They flanked her, backing her towards the edge of the pool. Elara was a poor swimmer, something Julian knew.

"Oops," Chad said, "accidentally" shoving her.

Elara hit the water with a splash, the cold shocking her. She flailed, gasping, the deep end pulling her down. Panic clawed at her.

Then, strong arms were around her. Julian. He pulled her out, his face a mask of concern.

"Elara! Are you okay?" He wrapped a towel around her shivering form. "Clumsy of you."

She developed a high fever that night. Julian insisted on caring for her, his touch gentle, his voice soothing. He gave her medication, pills he said the doctor prescribed.

"Rest, my love. I'll take care of you."

But the fever raged on, her body aching, her mind muddled.

Days later, still sick, Elara's phone buzzed. A group text. From Tiffany.

"OMG, Julian, that pool prank was epic! She looked like a drowned rat! And the sugar pills? Genius! Keeping her sick so you can play hero? You're a legend! Seraphina owes you big time!"

Elara's blood ran cold. The message was clearly meant for their private group chat, the one that likely detailed all nineteen pranks. Tiffany had sent it to a larger group, one that, by some horrifying oversight, included Elara.

Sugar pills. He hadn't been caring for her. He'd been prolonging her illness, making her suffer more. The realization hit her with the force of a physical blow, leaving her breathless and shaking.