My Rival, My Redemption

reshment table, the buzz of the Ma

ed, his earlier frail

wo glasses o

voice smooth, all traces of humilit

igno

ontinued, taking a sip from

rial whisper. "That guitar solo at the spring masque

n's lips. "I let her believe

tightened. "

a shrug. "She fell for the idea of a hidden

t Ethan then, his ey

. Truly. And I love her.

pleading tone, though his

but her. Please, I'm begging you, let her go. Don't choose her for the Leg

ing. Julian's desperation felt a

l be announced at the Gala," Ethan sta

e mask of civility dropping

nt bastard,

could react,

than, hard, towards the ornate balustrade ove

his arms flail

ng caught him

red on t

ce!" Ethan snarled, tryi

He stepped forward, hands outstretched, clearly inte

pproached rapidly fro

yelled, his

stant. The murderous intent vanished,

trying to pull him back from t

the terrace, her e

n! Ju

"struggling"

she ran to Julian's side.

Ethan, her focus solely

ulled" Ethan back from the edge, though Ethan

vens. He almost... he almost fell." He feigned concern, looki

n! You saved him!" She looked at Ethan with

heer audacity of Julian's

, the earlier blow to his h

he sank to his knees

his campus r

there, her

h suppressed anger. "He 'saved' you from a 'dizzy spell' on the terr

eyes. The weari

now if you were going to press charges against Mr. Vance for 'disturbing your peace' or some

ou, Ethan... she sees you as the villain in her story. I pi

es. A strange calm

quietly. "My connection with Clara

im, confused by h