At Luxford Academy, the elite boarding school for the ultra-rich, Adriana and Nicholas have been bitter rivals since childhood. Forced to live in the same dorm, their once-friendly pranks have escalated into daily clashes-sharp insults, constant bic...
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I'm strutting down the streets of Manhattan, the city humming with that electric buzz that makes everything feel like it's moving in fast forward. I'm in my zone, feeling fierce, sipping my iced coffee, and just soaking up the vibe when—bam—I slam straight into someone. My coffee sloshes, nearly spilling, and I'm ready to snap, but then I look up and my stomach drops.
It's Milan. He's standing there with his usual overconfident smirk, like he owns the damn sidewalk.
"Adri," he says, voice oozing with fake charm. "Long time no see. You look... incredible."
"Wish I could say the same," I shoot back, not even trying to hide my disgust. "What do you want?"
He steps closer, all smug like he's got some sort of hold over me. "I've been thinking about us, Adri. We had something real. I was stupid to mess that up. But I've changed, and I want us back together. I know we can make it work."
I snort, rolling my eyes. "Wow, Milan, that was almost convincing. If only I didn't know you were full of shit."
He frowns, the charm slipping a bit. "I'm serious. I've been miserable without you. You were the best thing that ever happened to me."
"That's not saying much considering the rest of your life's a dumpster fire," I snap, stepping back. "And let's not pretend you've changed. You're still the same selfish, cheating loser I walked away from."
His face darkens, the frustration bubbling over. "You really gonna hold onto that? I'm Milan Vastilev. I can have any girl I want. You think I actually need you?"
"Oh, so you admit it," I say, crossing my arms. "You really think you can just waltz back into my life and I'll fall at your feet? Pathetic."
His expression twists, and I can see the shift—the desperation masked as anger. "You think you're better than me? Please. You're just some charity case. Don't forget, I used you. You were nothing but a good time."
I raise an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "Is that supposed to hurt? Because all I'm hearing is how you're still mad I walked away."
Milan's trying to keep his cool, but I can see him cracking. He steps closer, lowering his voice in this menacing, desperate way. "You think you're untouchable? I know your little secret, Adri. You're adopted. Your real parents are junkies in rehab. How do you think your perfect little image will hold up when I spill that to everyone?"
I freeze for a split second, his words hitting like a punch, but I recover quickly, plastering on a calm, confident smile. "Wow, Milan, really going for the low blows, huh? That's cute."
He sneers, clearly thinking he's got me backed into a corner. "Yeah, keep laughing. We'll see who's laughing when the press gets a hold of it. Everyone's gonna know the truth, Adri. That your whole life's a lie."
I take a slow step forward, locking eyes with him, and drop my voice to a near whisper, making sure every word lands. "You think I care? You think I'm ashamed of where I came from? My real parents are fighting their demons, and that's more than I can say for you. And by the way, remember your cousin Jenna? You know, the one you had sex with at that family reunion?"
