the city' s elite. I watched the amber liquid swirl in my glass, the ice cubes slowly melting under the warm l

than Smith, and my

dy group, the dutiful, slightly overwhelmed li

she won' t make it to the finals this time. The qualifying race is next month, and she'

rack qualifier. A competition he was su

edge of contempt. "What' s one competition? I can snap my fingers, and she won' t even

ne they all adored before I came b

ok a delicate sip of my drink, the cool liquid a sharp con

o

little games. It made everything so much easier. Their arrogance was the pe

as a life everyone envied. A sprawling mansion, a limitless credit card, a handsome and influent

new the

culously long mahogany dining

d, her voice dripping with practiced concern. She didn' t look

ing, Mom," I replied,

urself too hard, Liv. Your health is more important." He sounded like a caring older brothe

e a brand. "He' s right, Olivia. I' m worried about you. Maybe you should take a few days off from school." Hi

l smile. "Thank you, Noah.

ery deceptive glance. They were all players in

event where people came to be seen, to network, and to gossip. I was st

essica, looked me up and do

to hear clearly. "She comes from nothing, and suddenly she' s

. I just want everyone to be happy." Her voice was sweet, bu

tears, a single drop tracing a path down my cheek. I

ked in

han' s voice cut through the air. He h

ven darker. He stepped in front of me, shie

r face turning pale.

itch," Ethan snarled. "

Jessica, under the combined pressure of the Smith

t' s okay," I whispered, my voice trembling.

r voice joined t

ould apologize. What you

sn' t part of this glittering, toxic world. He was just a genuinely decent person. He looked at me, and for a second, I

to my victimhood. Now it wasn't just my protectiv

ore sincere-sounding apology and practically ran away

His voice was soft, his anger replaced by a tend

stent tear. "I' m fine. Thank

dominance. He had defended his sister' s honor,

ance to claim the ultimat

"Come on. I' m t

ng her away from it all. I let him lead, playing my part to perfection. As we walked out into the cool nigh