Legacy of secrets

9

I woke up with a pounding headache, the remnants of last night flashing through my mind in scattered fragments. I remembered sitting on Ethan's lap during Truth or Dare, the way we kissed-hot and intense. But now, in the harsh light of morning, I couldn't shake the feeling of how impulsive it had all been. I was drunk, and now, I didn't know how to feel about it.

Needing space to clear my head, I decided to head to the library. The quiet always helped me think, and I needed to focus on something other than the night before. As I pulled a dusty book off the shelf, something slipped from between the pages. It was an old letter, folded and yellowed with age. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the symbol on the wax seal-the same symbol as the one on my family's ring.

I couldn't keep this to myself. Ethan needed to see this. Without thinking twice, I hurried to his room, but when I knocked on the door, it wasn't Ethan who answered-it was Liam. He stood in the doorway, casual as ever, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, if it isn't Blair. Didn't think you'd be back so soon after last night's little show," he teased, his eyes glinting with amusement. My face heated up immediately at the mention of Ethan and me at the party, but I wasn't about to let him get to me. Liam always knew how to push my buttons.

"Is Ethan here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Nope, but I can help," he said, leaning against the doorframe, clearly not planning to move.

I rolled my eyes but showed him the letter anyway. "Fine. I found this, and it might be important. I need to show Ethan."

Liam's eyes flicked over the letter, his teasing expression turning serious for a moment. "Alright, let's go find him."

We found Ethan in the common room, and I quickly explained the letter, showing them both the symbol on the seal. Ethan's eyes narrowed as he studied it, but it was Liam who spoke up first.

"Looks like we've got a mystery on our hands," he said, that familiar playful grin returning.