Kingsley Academy

Chapter 13

Kade's POV

The second Allison walks out the door, the sound of it slamming shut behind her, I feel this tight knot form in my chest. I run a hand through my hair, pacing back and forth, trying to shake off the gnawing feeling that's creeping in.

Fuck.

I shouldn't have said that. The look on her face—the way her eyes filled with tears—keeps replaying in my mind, and I can't get it out of my head. I've seen her mad, cocky, frustrated, but I've never seen her like that. Like she was about to break.

And for some reason, that gets to me.

I stop pacing, staring at the spot where she was standing just minutes ago. I should feel... satisfied. I should feel like I won, right? I had the upper hand. I found out her secret, used it against her, and I got the reaction I wanted.

But instead, I feel like shit.

Why the hell do I care? I shouldn't care.

She's no different than anyone else here—just another spoiled rich girl with skeletons in her closet.

But those tears... those weren't fake. They weren't part of the game.

I sit down on the edge of my bed, rubbing my hands over my face, trying to make sense of the mess I've created. I didn't expect her to react like that. I thought she'd fire back, come at me with some sharp retort like she always does. But instead, she just... broke.

I shake my head, frustrated with myself. I shouldn't care.

Why do I care?

Allison Van Arden isn't someone I should be worried about. She's been nothing but trouble since she got here, and I should be glad I finally have something over her. But instead, I can't stop thinking about the way she looked at me—like I'd just ripped her apart with a few words.

Dammit.

I didn't mean to go that far. I wanted to push her buttons, yeah, but I didn't want... that. Her tears, the way she walked out like I'd hit her where it really hurts—that's not what I wanted.

Why the hell did I say that? Why did I have to bring up the professor, the pregnancy, the abortion?

I stand up again, restless, pacing the room. My mind's racing, and for the first time in a long time, I'm not in control of what happens next. I can't fix this with a few cold words or by shutting people out like I usually do.

And the worst part? I don't even know why it's bothering me so much. It's not like I actually care about Allison. She's just another player in this game, someone I was supposed to beat. But now...

Now it feels like I've crossed a line I didn't mean to cross.

I sit back down, staring at my phone, the urge to check if she's okay gnawing at me. I shove the thought away, hating the way it makes me feel. Why the hell am I even thinking about this?

I shouldn't be affected. I shouldn't care.

But I do.

Allison's POV 

The next day, I walk into the courtyard, sunglasses on, head held high, but inside, I still feel raw. The weight of what happened yesterday, the way Kade exposed my secret, has been gnawing at me since I locked myself in the bathroom last night. But today, I'm not letting it show. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break again.

I spot him leaning against a stone wall near the entrance to the library, arms crossed, eyes scanning the crowd like he always does. I try to walk past without acknowledging him, but of course, he doesn't let that happen.