“If she really had the guts to call the police, then great, when the truth comes out, she’ll have no way to twist her way out of it. That’s a win for us.”
Marianna forced a weak smile. “Y–Yes… you’re right.”
Kayla’s cold smile deepened as she took in Marianna’s pale, trembling face.
She didn’t need to expose Marianna’s lie now. She could wait for the truth to come out, plain for all to see.
And when that day came, she would relish watching Marianna try and fail to wriggle free.
Kayla didn’t spare the others a glance. She caught Payton by the wrist and dragged him away from the circle of gawkers and whispers.
He fell into step automatically, eyes dropping to her hand clasped around his arm.
Her skin was pale and soft against the sun–warmed bronze of his own, a contrast so stark it was impossible not to notice. Her grip was warm, almost gentle, and he pressed his lips together, saying nothing as he let her lead him.
A breeze slipped past, carrying the faintest trace of her scent, clean, subtle, unmistakably hers. It filled his lungs before he even realized it, and he caught himself holding the breath as if he could trap it inside him.
They didn’t stop until they reached the school gates. Kayla finally let go, turned on him, and snapped, “Are you out of your mind? Do you ever think before throwing yourself into things? Do you know what you’ve just done to yourself?
“If I really were pregnant, do you realize what your little speech back there would mean for your future?”
She fumed inwardly. ‘Wasn’t he supposed to be at the hospital with his mother? What’s he doing here? Did she recover already? And why on earth would he stick his neck out like that? How can anyone be this reckless?‘
Payton was taller by a head, but as she scolded him, he looked oddly defenseless, just standing there and soaking in her words without protest.
His gaze never wavered from her face, steady and intent, and the faint curve tugging at his lips betrayed something dangerously close to contentment.
The more he stayed silent, the more frustrated she became.
She paced in front of him, voice sharp and relentless. “I told you before. My problems aren’t yours to solve. Why did you have to butt in?
“And now it’s worse. You stood up for me, and everyone spreading those rumors will assume we’re on the same side. If they decide to come after you, you won’t even know what hit you until it’s too late.”
Her chest tightened with memory. In her previous life, a single word of defense from him had been enough for Marianna to mark him as an enemy. He’d been branded with attempted assault and thrown out of school.
Marianna’s grudges were poisonous, and Kayla had no idea what lengths she might go to this time.
“You still have a chance to get out of this,” she pushed, her voice firm. “Leave now. From here on out, stay as far from me as possible. Don’t let anyone tie you to me. If something happens, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Payton listened quietly, every word sinking in, until something flickered in his eyes.
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Chapter 84
This vedce sem sah ban steady “So that’s why you’ve kept me at a distance. All the harsh things you’er said to me it was try keep ine safe, wasn’t it? You didn’t want me caught in the crossfire because of you
Kayla faltered, her breath catching. She hadn’t meant to give herself away, but his words struck too close to the truth
She recovered quickly, her tone turning cold. “Don’t flatter yourself. I don’t care if people target you. I just don’t want my name tied to yours. That’s all.”
The light in his eyes went out instantly. His expression collapsed into something wounded and helpless, like a loyal dog suddenly cast aside.
2/2
田
AD
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