Knight can still do it, though. With the right encouragement.

I tuck that idea for later.

“Nice game.” He nods in my direction.

I don’t acknowledge him.

He stops and wipes the sweat off his brow. “I hope to get along in the future.”

“Not if you keep messing with what’s mine.”

“Elsa is my foster sister. Oh, and I met her first.”

I meet his hazel eyes with my deadliest ones. “Doubtful.”

He leans in close and whispers so only I could hear him, “I was kidnapped by her mother first.” He steps back with the same smile still plastered on his face. “That means I’ll cut you if you hurt her.”

Van Doren brushes past me in the direction of the locker room.

I watch his back.

Hmm. So he was a victim of the red woman, too. It makes sense now why Ethan took him and his sister in.

Still, he has no right to threaten me. Not when it comes to Elsa. Especially when it comes to Elsa.

“You have yourself another enemy.” Queens studies her pink nails. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be gone?” I stare at the top of her head.

“Charming, as usual, King.”

“Don’t you have someone else to bug? Oh, wait. He’s not speaking to you.”

“You’re such a twat.”

“Could be.”

“You know, I was thinking about helping you out, but I changed my mind.”

She turns to leave, but I grunt, “Stop. Turn around and tell me your plan.”

Spinning around, she shoots me a glare. “I’ll talk to Elsa.”

“You will talk to Elsa,” I repeat to get a better feel of her words.

Queens was completely against this when I ordered her before. She didn’t budge even when I threatened to expose everything to Nash.

The fact that she changed her mind now could only mean two things. One: somehow she was persuaded. Two: she’s taking revenge against me.

I’m betting on the second.

If she’ll do as told, I’d take the bait willingly. Queens is about the only person Elsa would believe.

“Fine, let’s go,” I say.

“You’re not going to ask why I changed my mind?”

“Doesn’t matter.” For now.

“It’s because of her,” she huffs. “I might have unnecessarily been a bitch towards her.”

“You think?”

“Yeah, but I’m not worse than you.” She points a finger at my chest. “At least I didn’t hide something so big from her.”

“Shut it, Queens.”

“Whatever.” She walks by my side as we head across the pitch.

“Oh, by the way.” She flips her hair back. “You’ll do me a favour.”

Of course.

She’s using my desperation to get what she wants. Just like fucking Nash. I swear they’re cut from the same cloth.

Just wait until I have Elsa back and I’ll take my revenge against them both.

“Pray tell,” I speak in my most detached tone.

“Don’t mention a word to Cole about Adam.”

Hmm. Interesting.

“I don’t have to. He’s not stupid and will eventually figure it out himself.”

And with that, Queens and I head to the girls’ locker room.

Energy buzzes through my veins the closer I am to Elsa.

Alicia used to say that in order to be accepted, you have to bare yourself.

I never understood what that meant.

Until Elsa.

Now, I’ll do whatever it takes to be accepted by her.

If it means letting everything go, then so fucking be it.

16

Elsa

I tie my damp hair back then button my jacket.

My movements are mechanical at best. Knox said he’ll take me and Teal to some film, but I can’t muster excitement about it.

I enjoy their company more than anything else. Being back under my father’s wing has given me a sense of comfort I haven’t felt in ten years.

Dinner time with Dad, Agnus, Knox, and Teal feels familial, and I’m thankful to have them as a family.

However, something is missing.

At times, I’m certain it’s about the past and what I erased from my memory. But the truth is, that’s not the only reason.

Even when I laugh and smile and act completely normal, I can still sense the void inside. The terrifying hollowness. It echoes through my empty chest like an old rusty bell.

It hurts.

It really fucking hurts.

The worst part is that I can’t even talk about it to anyone. They’d think I’m broken beyond repair. They’ll think I’m crazy for tossing and turning all night thinking about the one person I shouldn’t be thinking about.

I suck in a deep breath.

You can do this, Elsa. You’re strong.

I throw the backpack over my shoulder and step outside.

My feet falter near the door.

Aiden and Silver stand together, appearing deep in conversation.

My lips tremble. The void in my chest claws louder and harder like a trapped animal. That animal needs out. That animal will rip my heart open, run over to them, and shred that scene apart.

Stop. I scream at myself. It’s over, remember? They’re engaged. You’re nothing.

Even as I tell myself this, I can barely fight off tears. God, maybe I shouldn’t have returned to RES after all.

I don’t think I can see them like this for the rest of the year and pretend I’m okay.

My armour has already cracked, and it’ll continue to crumble the more I witness such scenes.

I close my eyes for the briefest second.

I can do this.

I’ll walk past them with my head held high and pretend they don’t exist.

My footsteps are forceful, to say the least, but I jut my chin upwards as I stride in the direction of the exit.

I’m strong. I’m strong. I’m strong...

Their chatter comes to a halt as I march past them. A strong hand wraps around my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

Goosebumps erupt over my skin and my entire body explodes with static.

His scent fills my nostrils. He doesn’t smell like me anymore. His scent is mixed with Silver’s expensive Chanel perfume.

I grit my teeth to avoid getting lost in his touch. “Let go or I’ll scream the whole place down.”

“I’d prefer you scream for another reason.” The dark, seductive tone takes me completely by surprise.

Is he flirting with me in front of his fiancé? What the hell is wrong with this psycho?

I would’ve felt sorry for Silver if I didn’t feel so bitter and completely out of my element right now.

“Let. Me. Go.” I emphasise every word.

“If I do, you’ll run away and I can’t have that.” He tugs and whirls me around so I’m facing him and Silver.

My head is held high, meeting both their gazes.

They won’t see my weakness. Not today. Not ever.

“We have something to tell you.” Aiden raises an eyebrow. “I would’ve told you earlier if you’d have listened to me.”

“I have nothing to talk about with either of you.”