Chapter 113 Mistaken, Again
TESSA
+10 Free Coms
Owen was there beside me, his bag dropped lazily on the cafeteria floor as he held his usual canned iced coffee. We were seated near the back, far from the rest of the crowd. It was our first break of the day, but it already felt like the last.
“You seem really tired,” he said quietly, watching me carefully.
“Yeah,” I muttered, resting my cheek against my palm.
I was tired. And not just the kind of tiredness that a full night’s sleep could fix.
For the past few days, I had been trying to catch Mr. Winters in the act. I followed him. I took note of his meetings. I eavesdropped where I could without getting caught. But it was like chasing smoke.
Every time I thought I had something, it slipped through my fingers like water.
“Why is it that the world is going against me?” I mumbled, not really expecting an answer.
Owen didn’t reply. He just leaned slightly toward me, offering a shoulder.
“Let me lean here for a moment,” I said softly.
He shrugged. “Go ahead.”
I rested my head against him, closing my eyes for just a second.
And that’s when I smelled a faint but unmistakable scent. Citrus. Rain. And something bitter, like rusted steel. A scent I knew too well.
I turned my head, gaze scanning the cafeteria until I saw him.
Sitting at one of the seats near the middle of the room, alone, his tray untouched, one hand. resting against his chin as he stared blankly into nothing was Rowan. However, I was sure he wasn’t looking there the past second. I definitely felt his gaze.
I shook my head. Maybe, it was just my imagination.
The lights above cast shadows along his jaw, and the dark circles beneath his eyes looked
L
1/5
83%
[0
Chapter 113 Mistaken. Again
even worse than usual.
What was he doing here? Shouldn’t he be in Opulence?
But something else caught my eye.
His neck.
10 Free Coins
Just along the collar of his jacket, barely visible, were marks–reddened skin, partially healed
I straightened up instinctively. The shift was enough to make Owen glance at me, confused. His hand brushed mine.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“It’ll be quick,” I murmured, already rising to my feet, not really answering his question.
I walked toward Rowan without thinking. He looked up when he sensed me coming, eyes narrowing slightly. But when I grabbed him by the wrist and tugged, he didn’t resist.
We stepped outside into the empty hallway, the chill of the air pressing softly against my cheeks.
“What do you want?” he said, his tone slightly irritated.
“You’re hurt,” I said.
Rowan clicked his tongue, but didn’t move.
I didn’t ask for permission.
I reached out and tugged down the collar of his jacket.
He flinched slightly, but again, he didn’t stop me..
Beneath the fabric were bruises. Red, angry, and deep–set. Some were older, faded into dull yellow and green, while others were newer, still swollen. Scratches along his ribs. A scar down
the side of his back.
“What is that?” I whispered.
He didn’t answer.
3
Σ
N
2/5
16:01 Tue Aug 5 GOG
X
Chapter 113 Mistaken. Again
Then, realization hit me like a punch to the gut.
“Is it…” I swallowed, “Your dad again?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Rowan said, eyes cast to the side.
My chest constricted.
Of course.
+10 Free Coins
I had a feeling this was about what I asked him to do the other day. Maybe Rowan had actually tried to shift the support of the South toward Cade.
However, Elijah’s death had placed a strain on the relationship between the South and the
North.
To the South. Elijah had died because of the North.
Because of Honey.
And now, Rowan’s parents were pushing him to rise above the ashes, not only to honor hist brother’s legacy, but to trample Cade and the North underfoot.
And Rowan was caught in the middle.
“You didn’t even clean them properly,” I murmured, tracing one of the cuts with my gaze.
“It’ll heal on its own,” he said.
“No, it won’t.
“Yes, it will,” he said again, firmer this time. “I’m used to it.”
My throat tightened.
A wave of helplessness washed over me.
He was always so distant. So cruel, even. But in moments like this, I remembered the reason behind it.
“You clearly need help,” I said, staring him down. “You wouldn’t have come to the common. cafeteria if you didn’t. Right?”
5
OOM N
3/5
16:01 Tue, Aug 5 G
X
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 113 Mistaken. Again
Rowan gave me a dry look. “What are you talking about?”
I crossed my arms. “I rarely see you there. So, you must have come for a reason.”
I looked into his eyes. Perhaps, for me?
I didn’t say that out loud, though. I wasn’t brave enough to do it.
His jaw tensed. “I had someone to meet.”
Right on cue, a voice called from the far end of the hall.
“Rowan! There you are!”
I turned, and a petite woman with short brown hair and bright blue eyes came running up to us. I didn’t recognize her, but she was quite pretty, like the ones who were always by Rowan’s side.
She reached him, smiled, and without hesitation, leaned up and kissed him right on the lips.
“I was waiting for you,” she said sweetly, her voice high and soft.
I stood still, lips slightly parted.
He didn’t pull away.
He kissed her back.
I felt something inside me snap. My throat went dry, and I looked away quickly, turning just enough that they wouldn’t see my expression.
So, it was true. He really was here to meet someone.
I shook my head slowly, biting the inside of my cheek so hard I tasted blood.
And I thought…
I thought he actually came to the common cafeteria for me.
But I was wrong.
I was always wrong about Rowan.
—
00
4/5
DT M N
<
16:01 Tue, Aug 5
D
X
Chapter 113 Mistaken, Again
+10 Free Coins
While the two of them kissed, I turned away fully, clenching my fists at my side. My steps. were slow but heavy as I walked past the stone columns, heading toward the nearest exit. I leaned against the cold wall beside the door, pressing my back into it.
“Seriously.” I muttered bitterly.
The wind whistled through the corridor outside, sending goosebumps down my arms. I pressed my palm against my chest.
Don’t cry.
Don’t be pathetic.
I banged my fist gently against my chest, trying to shake off the feeling–this burning ache. that clawed its way up my ribs and into my throat.
“I miss Arden.” I whispered to no one.
She would’ve known what to say. She always did. She would’ve made me laugh, even while my eyes were full of tears. But she wasn’t here. I was alone. And suddenly the shadows in the hallway felt too thick.
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.
However, when I opened them, I found something far worse than a nightmare.
A face.
Standing just inches from me, cloaked in shadow, like they had melted out from the walls themselves. Pale, gaunt features. Eyes gleaming with something unkind.
My breath caught.
Before I could scream, a hand shot up and clamped over my mouth.
I struggled instantly, trying to push back, but they were too strong. The hallway was too
empty.
I had wandered too far.
Their grip tightened around me as they dragged me back into the dark. My eyes were wide. with terror, my scream muffled by a stranger’s hand.
