Chapter 19

Lila’s vision was getting more and more blurry—until all she could see was Ethan. “Lila…” That voice, so gentle it seemed like something that only existed in dreams, whispered right beside her ear. And just like that, she jolted awake. Clenching her fists tightly, Lila shoved all her emotions back down and turned away, her expression cold as she stormed past Ethan. The moment their shadows brushed together, Ethan reached out and grabbed her hand—but she fiercely yanked it free, her eyes brimming with unhidden disgust and indifference. A sharp pain shot through Ethan’s chest. “Lila… you’ve been through so much.” “I think you’ve got the wrong person, sir,” she sneered, her voice icy. And with that, she quickly jogged off, desperate to disappear from this place. Ethan moved to go after her, but she was already gone—she didn’t give him even the slightest chance to hold her back. The second the school bell rang, Oliver was the first one bursting out of the classroom, bouncing on his feet un