TWISTED FATE (Twisted Path Book 1)

Chapter 38

Shane

She's not in her next class—she never even showed up.

I push through the halls, my pulse hammering like a war drum, my grip tight around my phone. I've called. I've texted. Nothing. No response.

A flicker of panic grips my chest as I send a quick message to Cedric. Seconds later, the reply comes: She's still in the building.

That leaves only one place where she could be, and now I'm kicking myself for not checking there first.

In a rush, I make my way to the first floor, heading straight for the wing where the administrative offices are located. The door to the small, tucked-away lounge is closed, but I don't hesitate. Without bothering to knock, I push it open.

And there she is.

She's curled up in the small loveseat, her knees drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around herself like she's trying to disappear. Her eyes are glazed, distant, lost in the wreckage of the mess Amanda left behind. And fuck, she looks... sad. Lost. So damn fragile it makes my chest ache.

The second she notices me, her gaze flickers like she's determined to hide her pain. For a heartbeat, neither of us moves. Then, before she can shut me out—before she can throw up those walls—I cross the room, grab her hand, and pull her up into my arms.

She stiffens.

For half a second, I think she's going to resist. But then, she just... breaks.

A shudder runs through her body, and I feel it—how her control slips, how all that pain she's been holding inside is finally too much. Her body goes slack, her breath coming in soft, shaky gasps as she buries her face in my chest.

God. The sound guts me. My arms tighten around her, one hand sliding into her hair, the other pressing against her back.

"Shane..." Her voice is barely above a whisper, but I hear it—the battle raging inside her. The desperate push and pull of needing me while simultaneously wanting to push me away.

I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. I need her to see me. To see my love, my desperation—my unshakable determination to make this right.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," I murmur, my voice rough.

She swallows hard, her breath catching slightly. Then, just as quickly, she takes a step back.

No.

I don't let her go far. My grip on her waist tightens, my thumbs brushing over her hip bones in slow, grounding circles.

"Becca."

She flinches, just slightly. Her lips part like she's going to say something, but then she shakes her head, blinking rapidly—like she can will herself to keep it together.

And then I see it.

The shift.

A mask slides into place. A cold, detached expression falls over her beautiful face, sealing away the storm raging beneath. Then she shrugs, as if none of this matters. Like she's not slowly breaking my fucking heart into pieces.

"It's fine," she says. "I knew this was going to happen eventually." She lets out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "At least now I don't have to pretend anymore. In the end, I was only fooling myself anyway."

Her words are casual. Light.

But her voice?

Her voice is breaking.

But it's nothing compared to how she's shattering my heart.

My grip tightens, fingers pressing into the curve of her waist. "Look at me."