Chapter 2
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The next day, I went to Vaughn Sterling’s house and found him in the study, deep in a game of Go.
He was wearing a crisp white shirt. His long, slender fingers held a stone, hovering thoughtfully over the board before placing it.
In the past, seeing him like this would have made my heart skip a beat.
Now, I felt nothing. My heart was a pool of stagnant water.
‘Babe, you’re here.”
Vaughn walked over and swept me up into his arms. The sharp bridge of his nose brushed against my neck. “You smell good. Did you change your body wash?”
He carried me into the bedroom and set me on the large bed, pulling out the bunny girl costume.
Let’s try something different today, okay?” Vaughn’s voice was husky as he nibbled on my lip. “Put it on for me.”
Okay.”
thought back to what he’d said yesterday-how he wanted to use these last ten days to “unlock new positions” with me. A wave of nausea surged in my gut.
The costume was incredibly revealing, the tight-fitting design hugging every curve of my body.
As soon as I changed, Vaughn pinned me down.
Don’t…” I pushed him back. “I’m on my period. Not today.”
The desire in Vaughn’s eyes vanished instantly. “Fine.”
He pulled out his phone and snapped a dozen photos of me.
watched him expertly transfer the photos to a folder on his laptop-a folder on the C drive titled “Elara.” Then, he deleted the riginals from his phone.
Don’t worry, the files on my laptop are encrypted,” Vaughn said, his voice low. “I’m the only one who gets to see this side of you. If nyone else tried to look, I’d gouge their eyes out.”
looked down, feeling the bitter irony. This was the same man planning to broadcast our private videos to the world.
Elara, can you use your hands for me?” Vaughn gripped my wrists, his voice pleading.
He leaned down and started kissing my collarbone.
My body stiffened.
The embrace I used to crave now made me feel like I was suffocating.
ust as Vaughn’s kisses grew more intense, his phone rang.
The Class President had messaged the group. He wanted everyone to meet up at a Karaoke bar one last time before university tarted, since it would be hard to get everyone together later.
I’m going,” I said. I didn’t want to be alone with Vaughn. I grabbed my clothes and ducked into the bathroom to change.
When I came out, Vaughn was waiting for me at the door.
You’re… coming too?” I was surprised. He usually skipped class events.
Of course,” Vaughn said grumpily. “In case you pull a Dare and end up touching some shady guy.”
Right after the college entrance exams, there had been another party. I’d pulled a Dare that forced me to hug a boy in our class.
Someone had posted the photo in the group chat. Vaughn had picked a massive fight with me over it, giving me the cold shoulder
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< Chapter 2
for days. Eventually, he made me throw the dress I was wearing that night into the trash.
In this moment, I found it hilarious. Vaughn was really committed to the act.
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He was going to dump me in ten days anyway, yet he was still pretending to be the jealous, devoted boyfriend. Wasn’t he exhausted?
We left the house together. Vaughn had gotten his driver’s license two months ago. As the car pulled out of the villa driveway, we saw a slender girl standing nearby.
‘Corliss?” Vaughn rolled down the window, looking surprised. “Your dad said you weren’t coming back until next month.*
We came back a few days early.” Corliss Mercer smiled, then looked at me in the passenger seat. “And this is…?”
A classmate,” Vaughn answered without hesitation. “Elara Vance. She’s taking physics in her freshman year and had some questions for me.”
The corner of my mouth quirked up, but I said nothing.
Hi, Elara. I’m Corliss Mercer.” Corliss introduced herself with poise. “Vaughn and I grew up together at the Go Institute. We’re hildhood friends. It’s nice to meet you. So… where are you guys headed?”
A class party,” Vaughn said. “Want to come?”
Is that okay?” Corliss scratched her head. “I don’t know anyone in your class.”
It’s fine. It’s just a hangout.” Vaughn turned to me. “Elara, go sit in the back. Corliss has a heart condition. She’s less prone to motion ickness in the front.”
Okay,” I said. I opened the door and moved to the back seat.
The car soon reached the Karaoke bar.
When the three of us walked into the private room, the rowdy atmosphere went dead silent.
Holy crap! Am I seeing things? Vaughn actually showed up!”
The girls in our class are in luck today!”
Who’s the girl next to him? She’s gorgeous. Is she his girlfriend?”
Vaughn finally spoke. “She’s my childhood friend, Corliss Mercer.”
After the introduction, he sat down on a single armchair.
No one expected Vaughn to actually attend, so the atmosphere remained a bit stiff at first. The Class President stepped in to liven hings up. After a few songs, they started playing Truth or Dare.
Tobias Montgomery, the Study Representative, drew a Truth.
Tell us,” someone shouted. “In all three years of high school, did you ever have a crush on a girl in this class?”
Tobias was a clean-cut guy who adjusted his glasses nervously. Just as everyone expected him to say “no,” his gaze landed on me.
Elara.” He took a deep breath. I’m afraid if I don’t say it now, I’ll never get the chance. Yes. I’ve had a crush on you for a long time. Thank you for being a part of my high school years. If it’s okay… could I have a hug from you?”
The room exploded!
The guys started hooting and cheering, while the girls giggled and pushed me forward.
‘Hug! Hug! Hug!” everyone chanted in unison.
Just as I stood up, there was a sharp clink”.
Vaughn had crushed the glass in his hand. He shot me a warning look as he slowly and methodically wiped the liquid from his skin.
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< Chapter 2
I didn’t even look at him. I walked straight over to Tobias.
Forsaken
Wy
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Mary
Bertha Estrada was forced into marrying Marcus Gonzalez, a man confined to a wheelchair.
During the two years Marcus had spent treating his legs abroad, Bertha lived a chaste and solitary life, playing the perfect wife…
His Forsaken Wife Is His Mysterious One-Night Stand?
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