~ Sylara's POV ~
I arrived at Nick’s mansion at exactly 8:00 p.m., my heart pounding harder with every step I took toward the gate.
Before coming, I had called Ashley to cover for me, just in case my parents decided to ask about my whereabouts. Deep down, I doubted they would. They already saw Ashley as a terrible influence on me, so reaching out to her was unlikely, but I still needed to play safe.
Ashley had agreed without even asking questions. I told her I was meeting someone, and she had sounded almost too excited for me. Guilt twisted painfully in my chest at the lie.
I hated lying to my best friend.
But I needed answers first.
I needed to know where I truly stood in Nick’s life before I could tell her anything.
When I arrived, Jude was pacing around the vast compound like a g
