Chapter Twenty-Three
“You do know she likes you, right?”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s pointless. She’s just a means to an end.”
The words sliced through the haze of sleep like a cold blade. My eyes snapped open, heart hammering against my chest, and I sat up too quickly. My head spun, dizziness following me as I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. The car had come to a stop, and outside, I could see only the faintest outline of streetlights against the deep night. I hadn’t realized how much time had passed. Everything was eerily still, except for the low hum of the engine and the muffled sound of voices—their voices—carrying across the stillness.
I didn’t mean to overhear. I had only just drifted off, too exhausted from the day’s events. But those words, those words abo
