And for the first time since this started—
I wasn’t sure if I was lying or not.
Fifty Six
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
ROWAN
I didn’t sleep properly.
That was becoming a pattern.
Not dramatic insomnia.
Just the kind where your brain refuses to shut up in short, annoying bursts.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same things:
Mason’s interview.
The word “distractions.”
The forum thread.
NYC.
And the part I hated most—
how quickly everything had shifted fromprivatetopublicwithout either of us agreeing to it.
My phone lit up at 6:41 a.m.
Mia.
Mia:
Don’t read the forum today.
I stared at that for a second.
Then replied:
Rowan:
Too late.
Three dots.
Mia:
Come to campus early.
That wasn’t a suggestion.
That was damage control.
MASON
