I jolted awake.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a silver glow across the room.
The phantom pain of my skull shattering under a baseball bat still lingered in my bones.
I stared at the crescent moon for a long moment before curling my lips into a smile.
“There won’t be a next time.”
After the school got involved, Nicholas finally stopped openly bullying the other students.
But at the same time, he and Stacy grew closer.
This time around, she played the role perfectly, stringing him along with ease.
I didn’t know what she had been whispering to him, but with each passing day, the way Nicholas looked at me grew darker.
The malice in his gaze was impossible to ignore.
He no longer lashed out at the other students.
Because now, all of his hatred was focused on me.
And soon enough, the final exam day arrived.
Because of our different residential registrations, Stacy and I weren’t assigned to the same exam center.
Early in the morning, she insisted that both our adoptive parents take her to hers.
“This is my first time taking such an important exam. I’m really nervous, and I want Mom and Dad to be there with me,” she said, cradling a cup of milk, her smile innocent and sweet.
1/3
Chapter 7
“Besides, Lucy has always been independent. Her exam center isn’t far, so she can go on her own.”
+25 BONUS
By the time I stepped out the door, the first golden rays of sunlight were breaking through the clouds.
I took a shortcut down a quiet, secluded road.
The moment I turned the corner, the sky seemed to darken
And then, a deafening engine roar ripped through the silence, growing louder as it approached.
A sleek, red sports car screeched to a halt right in front of me, blocking my path.
Nicholas stepped out with a lackey trailing behind him.
He grinned, leaned against the car, and looked me over.
“Third time’s the charm–I finally caught you again.
“You’ve spent years throwing your so–called favors around, making Stacy’s life miserable. And now you think you’ll just waltz into your exam like nothing happened?”
I adjusted the straps of my backpack, my expression unreadable as I stared him down.
“Nicholas Scott, today is your exam day too.”
“Ha!”
He threw his head back and laughed.
“An exam? You actually think a test is what decides fate?
“You need a piece of paper to dream about changing your life. Me? I was born so far above you that you’ll never reach me, no matter how hard you try.
“I don’t even need to take the damn exam–I can still get into the best schools. Do you really think I’m the same as you?”
His smirk widened, eyes glinting with cruel amusement.
“Aren’t you good at scheming? Always pulling tricks and finding ways to slip away?
“Go on, then. Show me, what backup do you have this time?
“Oh–wait. You don’t, do you?
“They’re all in their exams now. No one’s coming to save you.”
A sharp pain exploded in my stomach.
My mind blanked for a second before I even registered what happened.
By the time I did, I was already on the ground.
He had kicked me hard.
I struggled to sit up, pressing a hand against the wall to push myself up.
Nicholas stepped closer, standing over me, looking down as if I were nothing more than dirt beneath his feet.
2/3
Chapter 7
“I’m sick of you. Trash like you was born to be beneath me time, I won’t need anyone else.
“I’ll break your fingers myself. One by one.”
Chapter 7
+25 BONUS
“I’m sick of you. Trash like you was born to be beneath me. Who the hell gave you permission to fight back? This time, I won’t need anyone else.
“I’ll break your fingers myself. One by one.”
