Chloe’s voice still echoed in Layla’s head long after she left the house.
Layla… what?
The disbelief,the fear and the silent accusation that she was walking straight into something reckless.
Maybe she was but the suspension letter sitting in her bag felt heavier than paper. The whispers at school, the photo spreading like wildfire, the look in the principal’s eyes—it had all traced back to one person.
Liam.
If she didn’t cut the root, it would keep growing.
The cab ride felt too quiet. Layla stared out the window as the city blurred past. Her reflection in the glass looked different tonight. Harder and less unsure or maybe just tired.
When the car slowed in front of the Carter's estate, her stomach twisted despite her resolve.
The house was as imposing as she remembered—iron gates,
