Chapter 4

Avery sat alone in the cafeteria, swallowed a few tasteless bites, then went straight to the registrar's office to withdraw. When the registrar clerk heard that Avery's reason for withdrawing was to study overseas, she looked regretful but only nodded without saying anything more. With the photo scandal and the plagiarism mess still buzzing across campus, she didn't try to talk Avery out of it. "Your withdrawal will take a few days to process," she said flatly. "Attend classes as usual until you receive confirmation." "Thank you," Avery said quietly, her face unreadable. Avery moved through the rest of the day like an empty shell, sitting through lectures without taking in a word. When the bell rang, she gathered her books and drifted out with the crowd. She passed the campus garden and saw students rushing by excitedly. "Hurry up! There's a fight up ahead!" "Oh my god, it's Julian! I've never seen him this mad!" "He's standing up for Tessa! He's fighting for her!" Avery stopped in her tracks, pain pricking at her chest. Almost against her will, she followed them and found a ring of students packed tightly around the lawn. In the middle of it all, Julian was fighting another student. He was usually composed and reserved, but now, he looked like someone had struck a nerve. His fists landed brutally, rage twisting his striking features. Snatches of commentary floated over the noise. "I heard that guy grabbed Tessa after she turned him down." "Julian is always so calm and collected. I never thought I'd see him throw punches." "Wait, I thought his girlfriend was Avery. So, why's he going all out for Tessa?" "Come on! After those photos leaked, do you really think he still cares about Avery? He's done with her." Each word cut like grit caught under raw skin. She thought she was numb, but the ache still found her. Just then, Tessa pushed through the crowd like a startled deer, threw her arms around Julian's waist from behind, and cried out, "Julian, please stop! I'm scared... Please don't!" Julian finally stopped, releasing the bloodied student to stumble aside, then turned to Tessa. His rage dissolved at once, giving way to a gentleness that looked almost clumsy. He brushed her tears with careful fingers, and his voice was gentle enough to make her melt. "Don't be scared. I'm done. Did I scare you?" That softness cut through Avery like an icy blade, shattering the last bit of hope in her. He had never looked at her or spoken to her that way. He hadn't wanted her in his bed at all. He had passed her off to his brother instead. How blind had she been to ever believe he loved her? Julian's gaze swept the crowd and met hers. He actually flinched, startled to see her. Something complicated flickered in his eyes, then disappeared before even he could name it. His lips parted, as if he might say something. But Avery turned away. She gave him the cold, distant look she would give a stranger, then walked off without a word. Julian watched her leave so decisively, a deeper crease forming between his brows. "What is it?" Tessa asked softly against his chest. "Nothing." Julian put the moment away, let his voice fill with warmth again, and yet the odd feeling wouldn't leave. He pulled out his phone and texted Jace that he'd argued with Avery and gotten into a fight over Tessa, then told him to coax Avery later that night. Jace replied almost immediately, "Why bother? Just dump her." Julian stared at the screen for a moment. Yeah. Why bother? He didn't even know the reason. After a short pause, he typed the excuse that made the most sense to him. "Tessa's admission isn't secured yet. We have to keep up appearances. Avery is emotional and unstable. If she causes a scene that implicates Tessa, it'll be troublesome." Jace replied, "Got it. I'll handle it tonight." … That night, Avery returned to the apartment exhausted and crawled into bed early. Not long after, the door opened, and Jace came in. "Ave, turning in already?" he murmured, leaning over her with the same easy, careless affection as always. "I'm just tired," she said flatly, turning her back to him. He sensed the indifference in her tone and slipped an arm around her, weaving excuses about the paper and the fight. Avery listened without reacting. Julian caused the mess, and Jace cleaned it up. What a neat little act. She closed her eyes, refusing to waste a single word on him. As she stayed silent, Jace did what he always did. He nuzzled the curve of her neck, his hands starting to move over her.