the car was thick. Noah kept his eyes on the road, his jaw tight,

cular driveway, he turned to me. The charming fa

hat guy?"

sked, feigni

e up. The one from

ng a question; he was asserting ownership. He had de

ounted on. His deep-seated insecu

iver enter my voice. "He' s just a classmate, Noah. He' s be

epeated, his tone laced wit

ght from the dashboard. "How can you ask me that? Tonigh

window as if I couldn't bear to look

ted move, and it

The last thing he wanted was to lose his grip on me,

d out, gently turning my face back towards him. "Of course I' m on

actured tears. "He was just being kind. You were the one

"Thank you for tonight," I whispered, before getting out of

n turned from vulnerable to cold. I walked through the silen

to the floor in a heap. I stood in front of the mirror, looking

of obscene wealth and hollow smiles. I had watched them all, learning their weakness

No

presence masquerading as affection. He loved the idea of possessing the beautiful, favored daughter of

sn't my parents'

subtly sought out Noah' s advice, praised his judgment, and made him feel like my protector. I fanned the flames of his ego until

a partner; he was a pawn. A powerful one, yes, but a pawn nonetheless. He was a st

n the nightstand.

' s all talk. I' ll make sur

hought he was in control, that he was the one pulling the strings. He was promi

real opponent was the quiet, fragile girl he thought he was protecting. He

etition?" he had

ght. It w

laying for a mu