Chapter 2

2.

The bad blood between Jade and me wasn't new. She had a massive crush on a senior named Saul York. Saul was a genius, so Jade studied like a maniac to get close to him.

But Saul was my next-door neighbor growing up. We were close, and he often helped me with my coursework. Jade couldn't stand seeing us together, convinced I was trying to steal her man.

She also hated that my grades were better than hers. Every time a test came back, she'd find a new way to "teach me a lesson." But this was the most brutal she had ever been.

Usually, her hired thugs were afraid of the police and didn't leave marks. This time, Chase was in charge, and he didn't care about the law. He had beaten me within an inch of my life.

He had no idea that the girl he just pulverized was his girlfriend. The same girl he called "babe" and "princess" every single night. My phone buzzed again, vibrating against my thigh.

I wiped the blood from my lips and forced myself to open the app. Chase had sent me several voice messages. I played them, his gentle voice echoing in the damp, dark alleyway.

"Babe, why aren't you replying? Are you okay?" "I ordered a few boxes of your favorite snacks. Don't forget to pick them up." "I want to video call tonight. I really miss seeing your face."

Each "babe" felt like a poisoned needle stabbing my heart. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that this was the same guy. The violent, cold-blooded man I just saw was the same person speaking so sweetly.

My chest felt tight, like I couldn't get enough oxygen. Before this, Chase was the light of my life, the definition of kindness. He was my safe haven.

Every day, he'd talk to me with such patience about everything. He told me what he ate, what he wore, and even sent photos of stray cats. For five years, he never missed a day.

He always replied within seconds. But now I knew the truth―the version of him online was a total lie. His kindness was a mask, a sick performance.