Chapter 40 The gate lights flared to life as Selena’s car rolled to a stop. The mansion loomed above, its polished stone glowing pale under the lamps. Selena stepped out, still carrying the warmth of Chloe’s smile in her chest — but it shattered the instant she saw her mother waiting.Lady Carter stood near the gates, arms crossed, pearls gleaming at her throat like cold armor. Her driver lingered two steps behind her, tense as if he already expected a storm.“Where are you coming from at this hour, Selena?” her mother’s voice cut the night, crisp and sharp.Selena’s heart stumbled. “I… was out,” she said carefully, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Out? Paxton was here earlier. He was kind enough to inform me you’ve been… spending your time with a charity case.” Her lips curled as if the word itself was bitter.Selena froze. Anger pressed up hot in her throat. “He’s not a charity case,” she said firmly, her voice shaking. “Alexander is my f

Chapter 42 The second-period bell rang, and students shuffled into their seats. The hum of chatter filled the room—gossip about last night’s party, upcoming exams, and whispered rumors about who was secretly dating who.Selena sat stiffly at her desk, her eyes darting to the door every few seconds. Her heart thudded so loudly she could barely hear the teacher’s voice. She knew her mother wasn’t finished. She knew the storm hadn’t passed.And then it happened.The door banged open so hard it slammed against the wall with a crack. Every head whipped toward the entrance.Mrs. Vega.She stood in the doorway like a queen invading enemy territory. Her heels clicked against the tiled floor as she strode inside, her cream suit immaculate, her hair in a perfect bun, her eyes sharp as knives. The teacher froze mid-sentence, his chalk hovering in the air, stunned into silence.“Excuse me, ma’am,” he stammered. “This is—”“Silence,” Mrs. Vega cut him off, her voice slicing through the room like

Chapter 44 The next morning, the air at school felt heavy, as though the walls themselves still remembered yesterday’s storm. Students gathered in tight clusters, their voices low but urgent, their gazes flickering every time Selena walked past. The story of Mrs. Vega’s outburst had traveled faster than wildfire—no one was left untouched by the gossip.Selena could hear them everywhere.“She slapped Alexander right in front of everyone.”“Selena just stood there. Didn’t even defend him.”“If my mom did that, I’d never show my face here again.”The words cut sharper than knives. Selena’s grip on her books tightened until her knuckles went white. She had been there yesterday. She had seen her mother march into the classroom like a storm and humiliate Alexander before she could even breathe. She had wanted to speak, to stop her, to shield him—but she had frozen, shame and fear chaining her to the spot.Now, the guilt pressed against her ribs, suffocating.As she turned the corner by the

Chapter 46 The basketball court at the edge of the school grounds was alive with the sounds of celebration. Paxton leaned lazily against the fence, tossing a ball up and catching it with a smug grin, while Tommy sat cross-legged on the pavement, sipping a soda. The two of them were laughing loudly, replaying yesterday’s scene as if it were the highlight of the season.“Did you see her face?” Tommy howled, nearly choking on his drink. “Selena looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. And Alexander—oh, man—he looked like a drowned puppy. Priceless!”Paxton smirked, spinning the ball on his finger before passing it to Tommy. “That’s what happens when you try to climb higher than you belong. Alexander should’ve stayed invisible like the nerd he is. But no… he had to get close to Selena. He had to think he mattered.” Paxton’s voice dripped with contempt.Tommy cackled, nodding. “And the best part? You didn’t even have to lift a finger. Selena’s mom did all the work for you.”

Chapter 48 The night was quiet, but Selena’s heart was anything but calm. She stood outside the wrought-iron gates of the Donatoes villa—known among the elites as the Harrington residence—her hands clutched tightly together, her knuckles pale. The villa loomed ahead, tall and imposing, its windows glowing faintly like watchful eyes. Even from a distance, it carried the weight of authority, the kind of place that could crush a young woman’s resolve without saying a word.Selena hesitated, her breath coming in shaky bursts. She hadn’t told anyone she was coming here—not Paxton, not her mother, not even Paxton parents. This was her battle to fight. If I don’t face them now, this engagement will become permanent. And then what? I’ll be trapped forever.Her lips trembled as she pressed the intercom. The guard’s voice crackled through, startled by the late-night visitor. After a long pause, the gates creaked open with a heavy groan, and Selena stepped inside. Her heels clicked against the