The biting autumn wind whipped across the dark campus, but Mara couldn't feel the cold. Paralyzed by a profound, hollow humiliation and a burning, white-hot anger, her entire body felt numb, as if her soul had retreated deep inside, leaving only a shell to navigate the treacherous world.
She had failed to take a look at Nico's locker for the evidence she needed. But the video of their bet in the club was still fresh on her mind. It's as if she could hear them clearly—Tristan’s mocking, high-pitched laughter, Jace’s casual, cruel teasing, and worst of all, Adrian’s smooth, confident voice confirming it all with terrifying precision. “A month. I will make her fall for me. Completely.” The words were etched into her psyche.
Pushing through the heavy, groaning exit doors of the athletic cent
