Kingsley Academy

Chapter 47

A week has passed since Olivia's death, but it feels like a lifetime ago. The shock of it has rippled through the school, leaving a heavy tension in the air that no one seems able to shake. The police questioned everyone, including Kade. It wasn't a surprise, considering how openly he'd threatened her after she poured coffee on me. But we both knew Kade hadn't been responsible for what happened—at least not directly. Still, the scrutiny was unnerving, and it felt like a shadow hanging over us.

But now things have calmed down. No more texts from the stalker, no more unsettling messages. It's almost as if everything has returned to some strange version of normal.

We've moved into the new house, a sleek, modern penthouse with more privacy than either of us had at the dorms. Kade had the security upgraded even more—cameras, guards, an advanced alarm system—everything short of turning the place into a fortress. It's a constant reminder that danger is still lurking, but for now, things feel... safer.

I stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over the city, my thoughts drifting as I try to shake off the lingering tension. Kade's been more protective than ever, barely letting me out of his sight, but I can't really blame him. After everything that's happened, I feel the same way—like there's always something just waiting in the shadows.

He walks into the room, his presence filling the space like it always does. "You okay?" he asks, his voice soft as he comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Yeah," I murmur, leaning into him. "I'm just thinking."

He presses a kiss to my temple, his breath warm against my skin. "It's been quiet for a while," he says, but there's a note of caution in his voice, like he doesn't entirely believe it'll last. "Too quiet."

I nod, the unease still gnawing at the back of my mind. "Do you think it's over?"

Kade's arms tighten around me, and I can feel the tension in his body. "I don't know. But as long as I'm here, no one's getting near you."

I look up at him, the intensity in his eyes both comforting and terrifying at the same time. He means it. Every word. And I know he'll do whatever it takes to protect me.

Still, I can't shake the feeling that this is just the calm before the storm. Something is coming. And when it does, Kade and I will have to be ready.

Kade's POV

The memory of last week keeps playing on a loop in my mind, no matter how hard I try to shove it down. It was right after Allison got that message. I couldn't stand the thought of someone knowing about the bet—about us—and the only person who could have leaked it was Cole. So I confronted him.

No, I didn't just confront him. I went to his dorm and fucking lost it.

It was late, past midnight, when I showed up at his door. I didn't care that the rest of the dorm was asleep, and I definitely didn't care about being quiet. My blood was boiling, and all I could think about was making him answer for the shit he's pulled. If he was the one sending those texts—if he was the stalker messing with Allison—I was going to make sure he regretted it.

He opened the door, his hair tousled and his usual smug smirk on his face. "What the fuck, man?" he said, but before he could say anything else, I grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the wall.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I growled, my voice low, barely holding back the rage burning inside me. "You think this is funny? You think terrorizing Allison is some kind of sick game?"

Cole blinked, the confusion in his eyes almost believable, but I wasn't buying it. "What are you talking about, Kade?"

I slammed him harder into the wall. "The stalker, asshole. You're the only one who knows about the bet. You're the only one who's been close enough to fuck with her like this. Those texts, it's all you, isn't it?"