His Shield, Her Secret Empire

Ericks

was deafening. It confirmed everything. He didn't love me. He never had. He just needed my love, my un

tbreaking way. I had sought a genuine connection, a love that would see beyond the labels, th

said, my voice flat

is eyes wide.

e're done. Whatever this was, it's over." T

the meek girl, could actually walk away. Then, slowly, he turned and left, the lilies still clutched in his hand. I

e fueled by grief and betrayal. It was the last day of exams. I had papers to turn in, a final presentation to give. My academic life, the

y something else today. A commotion. I heard gasps, whispers, angry murmurs. I looked up and saw a crowd gathered outside

student, the ones Kade had so easily dismissed. And they looked terrified. Blake, the hulking figure wh

refreshed, untroubled, as if yesterday's emotional breakdown hadn't happened. He strolled past the kneeling

dled it. Blake and his thugs won't bother you ever again. In fact, they'll be performing community service for the

grand gesture of power, this public humiliation of my tormentors, would somehow fi

do you, Kade?" I asked,

slightly. "Get what? I fixed i

oice gaining strength. "You used me. You let them do all of this, knowing

y, I told you it would be dangerous. I told you it wouldn't be

napped?" The word 'kidnapped' seemed to hit him. His eyes flickered with something that might have been guilt, but it was

ll the confirmation I needed. The b

h rushed over, their face

about you!" Chloe gushed, completely missing the te

, linking her arm through Kade's, as if to claim hi

, you swept her off the stage, cradled her, whispered comforting words. You looked at her like she was the most precious thing in your worl

sphere. Even Blake and his crew, still kneeling, look

bout mine?" My voice was trembling now, but I refused to break. "Did you ever

opened his mouth to spe

interjected, trying to pull me away. "K

turned to the small crowd that had gathered. "He doesn't want love, he wants a convenient story. He

d and dead. "I regret every second I wasted

's shocked faces. I just walked, the numb coldness in my chest growing into a blizzard. I felt something finally break in

rate, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I was wal

ar, handsome face of Mark, Kade's friend and confidante. "Hey, Holly," he said, his voice hesitant. "Look, I know things

ar the air? There was no air left to clear. Only ash. But perhaps, I thought,