Chapter 42 Julian’s POV The cigarette burned low between my fingers. I’d lost count of how many I’d smoked. The night was still, cold, and annoyingly quiet, except for the constant beep of my phone on the table, each one reminding me that it wasn’t Catherine. She wasn’t back from
Chapter 41 Catherine’s POV The moment the final bell rang, I ran to find Gabriel, eager to get out of this fucking school. He was by his locker pulling on his jersey, when I found him. Shit! I remembered his practice. “Gabe,” I called, trying to sound casual. He smiled,
Chapter 40 Catherine’s POV Collins’s brows furrowed a little as he looked at me, waiting for me to say more. His hand still rested lightly over mine on the table, the cafeteria noise fading to a dull hum around us. There was no easy way to say what I was
Chapter 39 Catherine’s POV His hand was on the wall beside my head, while his other arm was so close that I could feel the faint brush of his sleeve against my shoulder. I should have been intimidated, or maybe even afraid, but I wasn’t. Seeing his composure crack and
Chapter 38 Catherine’s POV The last thing I expected when I walked into class that morning was having to find Julian there. When I looked up from my desk and saw him walk into my classroom, tall and confident, my first thought was simple. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Chapter 37 Julian’s POV Catherine turned and stormed off. For a second, I wanted to go after her, to grab her by the arm, make her stop, make her listen. She had to understand how wrong she was acting but before I could take a step, Lucy’s cry broke through
Chapter 36 Catherine’s POV I expected him to leave, but he didn’t. Instead, he turned the lock and started walking toward me. “Julian,” I warned, my voice sharper than I thought it could be. “Why are you locking the door? Get out p> “I’ve let you talk too much, Catherine,”
Chapter 35 Julian’s POV Lucy tugged on my arm, her soft fingers sliding between mine. “Come swim with me,” she said, tilting her head with that practiced, innocent pout. I shook my head, forcing a lazy smile. “Not tonight. I’m not in the mood for a swim p> Her shoulders
Chapter 34 Julian’s POV Lucy sat beside me on the couch, our hands linked loosely between us. She looked up at me with a small, uncertain smile. “Seems like Catherine doesn’t like me,” she said quietly. I leaned back, exhaling through my nose. “Don’t overthink it, Catherine can be… very
Chapter 33 Catherine’s POV I ended up skipping school for the rest of the week. My face still stung whenever I looked in the mirror, and the bruises on my ribs hadn’t faded enough for me to pretend I was fine. Every time I tried to move too fast, the
Chapter 32 Catherine’s POV Gabriel drove like the steering wheel had personally offended him. “Fuck this, I swear, Sasha has done enough. I hate how the school keeps covering her,” he muttered, slamming his palm against the wheel. “What kind of psycho beats people for fun? And her little minions?
Chapter 31 Catherine’s POV I was halfway to my locker when someone called my name. “Catherine p> I turned and saw Collins behind me with his usual boyish grin in place. “Hey,” he said, pushing his scattered hair backwards. “Was hoping to see you before classes today. Glad I did
Chapter 30 Catherine’s POV The smell of coffee hit me before I even stepped into the dining room. I could still feel Julian’s voice, the heat of his palms on my thighs, and the humiliation that came right after. Every time I blinked, it replayed in flashes. I’d spent half
Chapter 29 Catherine’s POV Gabriel’s voice carried through the door, almost teasing: “I’m coming in. You have a minute to cover up if you’re not p> Every cell in my body froze. Julian’s head snapped toward the door, his eyes narrowing. He was just standing there like we weren’t about
Chapter 28 Catherine’s POV “Julian.” His name escaped me before I could think. I quickly shot up from the bed. “What the hell are you doing in my room? Get out p> He didn’t answer. He just stood there for a second, breathing hard like he’d run all the way
Chapter 27 Catherine’s POV My heart was still pounding like I’d run a marathon, and my palms wouldn’t stop sweating. I pushed the door open and walked out of that room before I could change my mind. Julian’s words were still ringing in my head like a curse. ” You’re
Chapter 26 Julian’s POV The moment the door clicked shut, I turned to look at Catherine, who was standing there with her arms crossed, looking like she could set me on fire just by glaring hard enough. Her chin lifted slightly, and her jaw was tight. She didn’t even have
Chapter 25 Julian’s POV Ethan’s car rolled into the driveway just in time for me to catch a sight that made my blood heat up instantly. Collins was standing at the bottom of the staircase, his hand resting way too comfortably on Catherine’s waist as she descended like she was
Chapter 24 Catherine’s POV I was halfway to my room when his voice cut through the hallway, low and sharp. “Wow,” Julian said. “He now drops you off p> My heart almost leaped out of my chest. I spun around so fast I nearly tripped. “Jesus, Julian! You scared me
Chapter 23 Catherine’s POV The next morning began with me convincing myself that I didn’t care. I stood in front of my mirror, brushing through my hair for the fifth time, even though it didn’t need it. Every time my reflection stared back at me, I saw Julian’s scars, his