“We’re family, hon. We always have been. But this house…” Her voice softened. “It felt too empty without you.”
“I’m angry.Infuriated. Sometimes I wake up, heart pounding wanting to hurt them back. The rage it’s not going away.”
“I know honey.”
“Try to channel that energy into something productive. Like soccer, studying?—”
“Or getting even,” I sneered.
“Jade—”
“Don’t worry. I still have a heart left somewhere. I’m not gong to do anything that crazy—just maybe break Leo’s heart right back.”
Chapter 9
JADE
Daytwo of my new reign at Royal Oaks starts with me in my black leather jacket. It sways behind me like battle armor, fringe slicing the air with every step. My boots click against the polished floors loud enough that the whole damn hallway hears me before they see me.
Dress code?
Yeah, I’m not thinking about that.
Let them write me up.
Let them try.
Shani walks on my left.
Tristan on my right.
Mindy trailing behind us like she’s suddenly royalty too.
It’s stupid how fast a social order collapses and a new one of formed when someone refuses to play by the rules.
The whispers follow me.
The stares.
The little gasps from the girls who thought they authored my downfall.
Bianca actually stops mid-conversation when she sees me.
Nadia’s face drains.
Vivian’s smile twitches, just barely.
Good.
Let them feel it.
The shift.
The power sliding out of their fingers and right back into mine.
I don’t speak.
I don’t need to.
