#Chapter 49 Renee

Renee I packed up my lunch to follow her across campus, nerves coiled tight in my chest. My bodyguard kept pace at my side, silent but watchful. The walk wasn’t long, but it felt endless. Every step tightened the knot in my stomach. I kept bracing for it—that moment when she’d turn around, eyes full of betrayal, and ask me how I could do that to Tyler. Like everyone else had. But she didn’t say anything until we reached one of the old student meeting rooms near the library that were barely used this time of year. She pushed the door open, glanced inside, then gestured for me to follow. My bodyguard came too, leaning just inside the door like a silent wall. She didn’t sit. Neither did I. “So,” I said cautiously, arms crossed over my chest, “what’s going on?” She looked at me, her jaw tight, but there wasn’t anger in her eyes. Just urgency. “I’m not here to attack you,” she said. “I swear.” That didn’t exactly ease the tension, but I nodded, waiting. “My cousin works at