Halsey nced at Shaun. “Let’s go.”

    The two of them walked off together, leaving Sierra standing there frozen.

    She couldn’t believe it. They had really just ditched her like that? Why?

    Anger bubbled up in her chest. She stomped her foot on the floor, shaking with frustration. If being nice wasn’t working, then it was time to y dirty.

    Sierra pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and hissed, “Hey, find me two guys… I’ll pay you.”

    Her eyes stayed locked in the direction Halsey disappeared. No way was she letting Halsey live so happily! If she wasn’t doing well, then nobody else deserved to either.

    Shaun’s face shed in her mind again, sharp and perfect–the kind of thing that made you restless just thinking about it. The more untouchable he seemed, the more she wanted him. She swore she’d make

    him hers, no matter what.

    Shaun’s sleek ck car slid onto the road, with him at the wheel and Halsey in the passenger seat.

    She nced at him. “You don’t seem to like Sierra very much.”

    “Is that so?” Shaun asked casually.

    Halsey tilted her head. “Come on. You didn’t even have work to do, but you still refused to give her a ride.

    Usually, you’re polite with my ssmates, but you’re different with her.”

    Shaun’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “Then why didn’t you ask me to drive her home?”

    Halsey reached for his hand. “Because you’re my future husband. When we’re out, I follow your lead.”

    That made Shaunugh under his breath. “You’re so sweet.”

    She grinned, then leaned in a little. “Now, can you tell me why you don’t like Sierra?”

    ‘He shrugged. “I don’t even know her that well. What, you’d rather I get close to another woman? Gotta keep boundaries.”

    Shaun wasn’t clueless. He had noticed Sierra’s little attempts to get near him. She was clearly into him,

    maybe even wanted to seduce him, but he wasn’t interested.

    Especially with Halsey pregnant–there was no way he’d risk stressing her out by saying anything.

    Halsey frowned slightly. “It’s just… Sierra looks familiar. It’s as if I’ve seen her somewhere before. But I

    can’t remember when.”

    No matter how hard she searched her memory, she couldn’t ce it. Still, there was something about Sierra that felt weirdly recognizable.

    Shaun squeezed her hand. “Forget her. She’s not worth your time or energy. Now, what do you want for dinner tonight?”

    Halsey brightened. “Barbecue ribs.”

    “Perfect. We’ll swing by the store first. I’ll cook when we get home.”

    She leaned her head on his shoulder, smiling. Life like this felt so good.

    The next day…

    Halsey was just stepping onto campus when Zada ran up to her, panic written all over her face. “Halsey, something bad happened!”

    Halsey paused mid–step. “Slow down. Tell me exactly what’s going on.”

    Zada caught her breath. “It’s Sierra! Something happened to her–you have toe!” (2

    Something happened to Sierra?

    “Let’s go,” Halsey said quickly.

    They rushed to the ssroom, only to find chaos. Students crowded around, whispering and gasping.

    At the center, a huge man had Sierra by the arm, yanking hard. His voice thundered across the room. “I’m your damn father! Quit wasting time at this stupid school ande home with me!”