Chapter 52 What Comes Around
Chapter 52 What Comes Around
ARDEN
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The door to Mr. Winters‘ office swung shut behind us with a heavy thud. He remained inside, and the moment Cade brought up the issue being addressed beyond the school walls, Mr. Winters immediately sided with him.
Figures. That man only cared about the school’s well–being.
As we stepped into the hallway, the tension didn’t dissipate, it trailed behind us, refusing to let go. Sienna hurried after Cade het heels tapping frantically against the polished floor.
“Cade, wait–please. You can’t just kick me out of the faction like this.”
“You barely know who I am,” she added, her voice filled with urgency
Cade halted and turned to face her. “Exactly,” he muttered, irritation heard in his tone. “Why would you choose me if that was the case?”
She bit her lip, and I watched as desperation clawed its way to the surface of her expression. “I… like you!” she exclaimed shyly. “I admire your faction very much, and I believe choosing you is for the best.”
Her gaze was innocent, the same look she always wore one that even fooled Jaxon. I felt my breath hitch when Cade remained silent Sienna had always relied on her looks and naivete to get what she wanted.
“You should have thought of that before drugging someone,” Cade said. I glanced between them, finding his expression unyielding, still cold as he regarded her.
“The North does not accept such actions.”
Sienna bit her lip again, and I could almost see the gears in her mind turning. “You’re just doing this because I’m not originally from your faction. If it were one of your members-
“I would have done the same, Cade cut her off decisively. “You should have thought twice before acting.
“I just Sienna floundered, her mouth twitching and tears–brimming in her eyes.
Bui Cade wasn’t looking at her anymore. His shoulders were squared, and he strode ahead with determination. For the first time, Sienna appeared like a crumpled petal beneath a heavy foot–stepped on and dismissed. Deep down, I knew no amount of pleading would change Cade Callahan’s mind.
Meanwhile, Kieran was pacing along the wall, phone pressed to his ear. “Yes, I said I need it now. Like, today,” he snapped. “No, I don’t care what time it is! They’re making me pay for some idiot’s hospital bill. Yeah, I know it’s not fair, but that’s what they said–just wire it. Mom
I couldn’t help but let a small, smug sinile creep onto my lips. So, he was talking to our parents. They were struggling to pay for his fees, I knew that all too well. This was just another blow to their already tight budget.
To be honest, I didn’t even feel bad. They were the ones who allowed Kieran to become this way.
The scene wrapped me in a cloak of quiet satisfaction. I had thought all hope was lost. I had believed I would have to walk away from everything.
But Cade
He had come in like he always dil–eractly when I needed him the most.
1 quickened my pace and caught up to him just before he turned the corner down another hallway,
““, my voice soft yet insistent.
He used fus eyes glawing back at me. “Yeah?”
1ocked up at him, hesitating as I gathered my thoughts. “Why did you do it)”
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Chapter 52 What Comes Around.
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He raised a brow. “Do what?”
“You know what.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “Come in like that. Fight for me like that.”
Was it for… wef
That question lingered on the tip of my tongue, but I was grateful it didn’t escape.
There was a brief pause. His lips parted slightly, as if he were about to answer immediately–but then he pressed them into a firm line.
“It’s for my faction,” he said.
I swallowed hard.
“Right, Imuttered, the disappointment creeping in.
Of course, it wasn’t for me.
I don’t want someone like Sienna in my faction,” he continued. “Tessa and Owen are hurt. While we’re at Elite, they fall under my leadership. That makes it my responsibility. I did what I had to do.”
“Of course,” I replied, nodding, my admiration for him reluctantly resurfacing. “You’re a great leader.”
Cade studied me for a second before speaking again.
“Go see your friend,” he finally said, stepping away. “Make sure he’s alright.”
And with that, he walked off, turning the corner and disappearing into the bustling noise of the school.
I felt Tessa approach beside me, her hand brushing against mine.
“What did he say?” she asked.
I pursed my lips, not ready to divulge everything. “Let’s go, I muttered. “Let’s see if Owen’s alright.”
She nodded in agreement.
Together, we made our way to the clinic. The hallways had grown quieter now, a natural occurrence since the after–party had happened just the night before and it was the weekend.
The scent of floor wax and sterile air filled the medical wing. As we entered, he nurse looked up from her clipboard and offered us a tired, gentle smile.
“He’s resting.” she said softly.
“Is he alright?” I asked as I peeked through the curtains where Owen lay.
“Tessa and Arden, right?” the nurse inquired, her tone friendly.
The two of us nodded,‘unsure of where this conversation was heading.
“He kept telling the to keep you two safe,” she chuckled softly. “Anyway, he’s alright. His guardians aren’t picking up. heard that all the medical expenses will be taken care of by the school.”
I calated, a sigh of relief escaping my lips. However, her next words caused my breath to hitch.
bur I
He has a mild concussion, so we’re transporting him to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Nothing too
geous, but he’ll need to miss school for a few days–probably a week. Light activity only after that,”
My drifted to the bed where Owen was, eyes closed, an IV inserted in his arm. A bandage was wrapped around his forehead, a reminder of the violence.
Tessa crossed her arms, lating her lip as worry etched across her face. “He’ll be okay, right?”
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Chapter 52 What Comes Around
The nurse nodded reassuringly. “We’ll monitor him until the ambulance arrives.”
I settled into a chair by his bedside, my gaze fixed on the slow rise and fall of his chest.
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He didn’t have to do it. He didn’t have to show up at that mansion, ready to fight for me. And now, he was paying the price with bruises–scars that weren’t even his to bear.
A tight knot formed in my chest.
“Oh, honey,” the nurse said softly, noticing Tessa’s injury. “That wound will leave a scar if we don’t treat it immediately. Please, have a seat for a moment,”
Tessa needed care too.
I bit my lip, wrestling with my thoughts. I could handle my own pain just fine, but how long would my friends continue to suffer because of me!
Tessa and Owen were hurting…
Cade’s voice echoed in my mind, a haunting reminder of the choices that had led us here.
I blinked back the sting of tears threatening to spill over.
It wasn’t enough to be protected anymore. It wasn’t sufficient to simply watch from the sidelines while others fought my battles. I needed to be more. I had to step up and protect them too.
And there was only one person I could trust with that kind of fight.
Before I knew it, my feet began to move on their own accord.
“Where are you going?” Tessa called after me.
I paused only briefly, turning to glance back at her.
“Please.. just take care of Owen for now,” I said, breathless as I dashed down the corridor.
1 had no clear sense of direction, no map in my mind nor destination in my heart. Just an instinct, a pull deep in my gut. My footsteps echoed against the quiet stone floors as I hurried through the halls, past the empty courtyards, and toward the one place where I felt safe.
The maze gardens.
I wasn’t sure how I knew he’d be there. Perhaps it was because the two of us often found solace in this serenity. Or maybe it was simply one of the last quiet places left within the chaos of Elite.
But as I stepped into the garden, my breath caught in my throat at the sight before me.
Cade
He was sprawled across the curved stone bench beneath the arch of ivy and moonflowers, one arm casually folded behind his head. However, the moment I stepped onto the gravel path, his eyes fluttered open.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling in rhythm with my racing heart.
The latter taste of helplessness washed over me. Then there was Cade, who–even when I hadn’t asked–always stepped in to
I walked her feeling the leaves brush against my arm as I passed. His gaze remained fixed on me, unwavering as I drew
Taking a larach, 1 steadied myself.
Te made my decision,” I whispered.
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1:14 AM c ch
Chapter 52 What Comes Around.
Cade tilted his head slightly, waiting for me to continue.
“I’ll sleep with you.”
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