Chapter Eight - Lines That Shouldn't Be Crossed
840 Words
The rain had finally stopped.
Tiny droplets still clung to the trees lining Ashton University's campus, sparkling beneath the morning sun. Students hurried between buildings, umbrellas tucked beneath their arms as conversations filled the air.
Vincent adjusted the strap of his backpack and walked toward the engineering building.
He hadn't slept well.
The envelope from his father had remained locked inside his drawer all night, but somehow it still felt like it was following him.
"Morning."
William appeared beside him, holding two takeaway cups.
"Earl Grey."
He handed one over with a grin.
"I figured you'd appreciate tea more than coffee."
Vincent accepted it carefully.
"You remembered."
William shrugged.
"I always remember."
Vincent looked down at the cup.
He wasn't used to someone remembering the little things.
"Thank you."
William nudged his shoulder.
"You're smiling again."
"I'm drinking tea."
"No."
William smirked.
"You're smiling because you're with me."
Vincent nearly dropped his cup.
"...Don't flatter yourself."
"Oh, so that's a no?"
Vincent tried to hide the tiny smile pulling at his lips.
"It means you're talking too much."
William laughed.
"I'll take that as progress."
The morning lecture dragged on.
Professor Bennett filled the whiteboard with equations while students scribbled notes as quickly as they could.
Vincent normally loved thermodynamics.
Today...
His eyes kept drifting to his phone.
One unread message.
Jennifer:
Have you opened the invitation?
He locked the screen.
No.
Another vibration.
Jennifer:
Please don't ignore me.
Vincent slipped the phone into his bag without replying.
Outside...
William was waiting exactly where he always waited after Vincent's lectures.
Leaning against the wall.
One foot resting casually against the bricks.
As though he'd been there for hours.
"You done?"
Vincent nodded.
"I thought we'd grab lunch."
"I actually have to—"
Before he could finish...
A sleek black sedan pulled up beside the pavement.
The rear window rolled down.
One of Connor's assistants looked directly at Vincent.
"Mr. Wynne."
William frowned.
Mr... Wynne?
The assistant stepped out.
"Your father requests your presence this evening."
Vincent's face turned pale.
"I won't be coming."
"I'm afraid it isn't optional."
Students nearby slowed their steps.
Watching.
Listening.
Vincent lowered his voice.
"I'm not discussing this here."
"Your father anticipated that answer."
The assistant handed him another envelope.
"He expects you at seven."
Without another word...
The car drove away.
Silence settled between the two roommates.
William looked at the envelope.
Then at Vincent.
"...Mr. Wynne?"
Vincent swallowed.
"My surname."
William blinked.
"You never told me."
"I..."
Vincent looked away.
"I don't usually tell people."
"No kidding."
William tried to joke.
It didn't land.
Lunch was quieter than usual.
William poked at his chips.
Vincent barely touched his sandwich.
Finally...
William spoke.
"You don't have to tell me everything."
Vincent looked up.
"But..."
William held his gaze.
"...I wish you trusted me enough to tell me something."
The words weren't angry.
They hurt anyway.
Vincent's fingers tightened around his cup.
"I do trust you."
"Then why does it feel like every week I find out another piece of your life from somebody else?"
Vincent had no answer.
Because William wasn't wrong.
That evening...
The black sedan waited outside the dormitory.
Vincent stood beside it, staring at the passenger door.
His reflection looked unfamiliar.
He looked like Vincent Wynne.
Not the quiet engineering student.
Not William's roommate.
Just...
The heir.
"Going somewhere?"
William's voice made him turn.
Football practice had just ended.
His hair was damp with sweat.
A sports bag rested over one shoulder.
Vincent forced a smile.
"Family dinner."
William nodded slowly.
"With Jennifer?"
"...Yes."
"You don't seem excited."
Vincent laughed softly.
"It's complicated."
"I figured."
Neither of them moved.
For the first time...
The silence between them felt uncomfortable.
William wanted to ask Vincent not to go.
He had no right.
Vincent wanted to explain everything.
He didn't know how.
Finally...
"I'll see you later."
William nodded.
"Yeah."
The sedan door closed.
William watched the car disappear into traffic.
Something about it felt wrong.
Connor Wynne's mansion stood on a hill overlooking Ashton.
The grand entrance glowed beneath crystal chandeliers.
Staff lined both sides of the hallway.
Waiting.
Vincent stepped inside.
Connor didn't greet him.
He simply looked up from the dining table.
"You're late."
"I'm on time."
"You were expected fifteen minutes early."
Vincent remained standing.
"You wanted to see me."
Connor folded his hands.
"I've heard you've become... distracted."
Vincent stayed silent.
Connor slid a photograph across the polished table.
William.
Laughing.
Standing beside Vincent outside the engineering building.
Vincent's heartbeat stopped.
"You've been watching me."
"I've been protecting my son."
Connor's expression hardened.
"You will attend the charity gala."
"You will stand beside Jennifer."
"And whatever friendship you have with this boy..."
He tapped the photograph once.
"...ends now."
Vincent's jaw clenched.
"You don't get to decide who my friends are."
The room fell silent.
Connor slowly stood.
For a moment...
Neither man looked away.
Then Connor spoke in a voice so calm it was terrifying.
"As long as you carry the name Wynne..."
"I decide everything."
- Writer
