The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

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Chapter 51

Callum

There was a crack in my window frame.

Tiny, hairline, like a splinter of moonlight wedged into the glass. I’d spent twenty minutes staring at it.

The dorm was still. Thomas snored like he was dying in slow motion. I’d shoved earbuds against my ear.

Didn’t help.

Technically, I didn’t need a roommate. The school offered me a private suite, perks of my family name. But it got quiet, too quiet. So I asked Thomas to move in. Easier to reach him for council meetings,

anyway.

Though, I never asked if he liked it. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe he felt like he couldn’t say no.

I glanced at his side of the room. For someone so sharp in class, he slept like he’d been hit by a truck.

Loud as one too.

But I’m good at tuning things out. Comes easy when you grow up listening to your parents fight through walls and your fiancée smiles after threatening someone.

I leaned my head back against the cold glass. My jaw still throbbed. Zane had decent form, no finesse, just raw force. But it landed.

And I didn’t swing back. Because I deserved it.

Outside, the campus grounds were silvered in moonlight. Past curfew, but that never stopped anyone. A few silhouettes slipped between buildings, probably heading toward someone’s dorm for something illegal, or intimate, or both.

I watched them from the window like a ghost. Half–lidded eyes. Wired. Wide awake.

And, stupidly, I felt jealous.

I’d done the same thing. A little rule–breaking rendezvous. But mine? Mine was with pure intentions. No drugs. No hands where they shouldn’t be. Just a walk. Just her.

And somehow, I still got punished like I’d assassinated a foreign king.

What was the point of power if all it did was cage you?

Why couldn’t I just let go–just once–for five damn seconds?

I ran my tongue over my split lip, tasted iron and regret.

Zane. Liora.

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Chapter 51

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That damn conversation wouldn’t stop playing in my head.

“She’s not yours. Not anymore.”

“She didn’t need saving. She needed you to not be a coward.”

I scratched at the scab on my knuckle, then stopped. That was another habit. I do that when I spiral, pick at things. My cuticles till they bleed. The corner of papers.

Some nights I shower twice. Not for cleanliness. Just to stand there, let the noise drown out everything in my head. Other nights, like this one, I stay up staring at the moon like it’s got answers. It never does.

You’d think the Moon Goddess would at least offer a roadmap, being the one who threw me into this

mess.

Liora, my fated mate.

Bianca, my betrothed.

I dragged the blanket over my head and groaned into the pillow.

I wanted to see her. To explain everything.

But there were eyes everywhere.

And the risk wasn’t-

My phone buzzed once.

I ignored it.

Then it buzzed again. A call this time.

Bianca.

I hadn’t really talked to her since she threatened Liora with my parents. Sure, I held her hand in the halls, made small talk when I had to, but why could she be calling so late?

I didn’t answer right away. Just stared at the screen lighting up the dark. I’d turned off read receipts months ago. Made it easier to lie. Easier to pretend I didn’t see.

Eventually, knowing what would happen if I didn’t, I picked up, feigning a groggy.

“What?”

“Wow. Someone’s charming tonight,” she said, fake–offended, like it was a flirt.

I didn’t answer.

She sighed, a dramatic, breathy sound just shy of a moan. “I’ve been thinking… since you want to go on

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Chapter 51

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night strolls with other girls, maybe you could come over here, spend the tonight. I have wine. And that stupid movie you like. The one with the guy and the horse-”

“I’m not coming over,” I said flatly.

“You could at least think about it.”

“I did,” I said, adjusting the blanket over my chest. “And I don’t want to.”

“You’re no fun lately,” she pouted.

“Lately?” I echoed, the word dry on my tongue. “Can you blame me?”

“Yes,” Bianca gave a forced laugh, all sugar and strain. “I can. But still… you could make an effort.”

“For what?”

“For us,” she said, the smile audible in her voice. “We’re going to be married someday, remember? Might as well get more comfortable with each other now. Think of it as practice.”

Chapter 52

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