Chapter 23 Misunderstandings.

The school day bwas /bbalmost /bover.

Zayden sat in the ssroom, staring out the window..

We always had the heaviest bworkload/b–band /bthetest dismissal. The other sses had been out nearly twenty bminutes /b

ago

Noticing Zayden still looking outside, Naomi leaned over and asked, “Zayden, are you looking for Eliza?”

No, Zayden replied tly, turning his gaze away. Why would I be watching Eliza?

Naomi smiled blike /bshe hadn’t noticed the tension. “No need to keep looking–Eliza’s not going home anymore.”

Zayden’s bband /bfroze around bhis /bpen. “She’s moving into the dorms?”

“Yep. Naomi nodded. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her. Maybe she’s dating someone? Why else bwould /bshe suddenly decide to stay on campus?”

Dating… The image of Eliza and Nn slipping into that empty ssroom shed through Zayden’s mind. No wonder she’s been acting so distanttelyb. /bShe’s moved on.

A heavy pressure settled in his chest.

He should’ve seen iting.

Eliza hadn’t followed him around at all these past few days, and out of nowhere, she requested a transfer to ss Six. They maste been seeing each other for a while now. Now she was suddenly living on campus!

“Zayden? You okay?” Naomi basked/b, feigning concern.

“What else did she bsay/b?b” /b

Naomi shook her head. “Not much. She just told me to let our parents know she’s moved into the dorms and won’t being home,”

Before she could finish. Zayden was already on his feet.

Startled. Naomi jumped up too. Zayden! Where are you going?”

Everyone in the room turned to look

The teacher mmed a bhand /bon the desk. “Naomib! /bSit down.”

She froze, then quietly breturned /bto her seat, cheeks burning.

The teacher nced at the clock band /bsaid, “Zayden balready /bfinished his test. If you bhaven’t/b, keep working”

Everyone immediately looked back bdown /bat their desks,

Out in the hallway-

Zayden strode straight to the ss Six door.

Elza was alone, working through problems in her practice book.

Zayden shoved the door open

Eliza looked up, startled, as he stormed in “Zayden?”

His voice bwas /blow and tense “You and bNn/b–how far has it gone?”

She blinked. What is he even talking about?

“T’m basking /bbyou/b—how far have things gone between you two?” Zayden repeated, barely holding bback /bhis angerb, /bbveins /brising bat /b

0:30 AM

Chapter 23 Misunderstandings

+8 Pearls

his temple.

b“/bbAre /byou serious right now?” Eliza frowned. “Don’t you think this is my business? You don’t get to question me like this.

“If you’ve already picked Nn, bthen /bwhy are you still holding on to our engagement? Zayden stepped closer, his voice turning colder with every bword/b. “Or are you just ying both sides–trying to figure out who’s the better option?”

Zayden!” Eliza’s voice sharpened. “I bnever /bagreed to marry you. That engagement was something the adults decided when we were kids. You even said it yourself–it doesn’t bcount/b.”

Never agreed to many me. Zayden let out a bitterugh, like she’d just told a joke. His eyes darkened, filled with something possessive. Then why were you always following me around? Why’d you give me that pen?”

Her eyes flickered. He knew about the pen?

bZayden /btook the pen from his pocket and raised it. “You gave Naomi the credit, no questions asked–because of Nn, rightb? /bSo you could end things with me and move on with him?”

Eliza hadn’t expected him to twist it like that.

But maybe it was better this way. If that’s the story he wanted to believe, let him.

“Yeah” she said bwith /ba forced sigh. “I like Nn. That’s why I want to be done with you. Happy bnow/b? I was going to let this go.” she added, calm but sharp. “I wanted to keep things civil. I figured we could both just move on without drama. But you kept pushing, so here it isb–/byes, I transferred to bss /bSix for Nn. Yes, I like him. And yes, I want to break off our engagement And I’d really appreciate it if you’d stop clinging to me and focus on your SATs instead. Sound good?”

That hit him hard. Zayden’s expression darkenedpletely losing control.

Zayden looked like he’d just been punched in the gut. Fury exploded behind his eyes as he lunged forward, grabbing Eliza by the throat and mming her against the wallb. /b

“Eliza,” he hissed, “nobody gets to y me like that!”

“Zayden! Let go! Are you out of your mind? Eliza gaspedb, /bhelpless under his grip.

Just then, a firm handnded bon /bZayden’s shoulder.

And in the next second–he was yanked away and thrown aside.

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