The Web of lies.

•Chapter 4•

Content Warning: This chapter contains graphic and potentially distressing content related to sexual assault. Please prioritise your well-being and proceed with caution. 

Rosalie's POV
Me and Amara stayed up really late at night trying to help Elizabeth out that we woke up really late and missed most of our classes. We quickly ran to the ones we had left to attend for the day.
I did my hair as fast as possible and put on a comfortable pair of jeans and a cute top. I walked into class relieved to see that I was right on time. I looked over for Kian because I'd unfortunately be sitting next to him.
We sat in silence, which was fine by me.
But then I noticed something weird - he was clutching a beautiful, antique-looking woman's necklace in his hand. What was he doing with that? It seemed so out of place.
I quickly looked away, feeling like I'd stumbled upon something private. Kian's eyes flicked up, and he hastily hid the necklace. It was like he was trying to keep a secret. Which was really weird.
We continued with class as the teacher walked in, ignoring each other.

Our shoulders kept grazing mine, gentle brushes that sent shivers down my spine. Each fleeting contact sparked a flutter in my chest as if my body was hyper-aware of his proximity.
"Can you stop?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, trembling slightly.
There was something about him – his presence, maybe – that unsettled me. Even before I discovered the terrible things he'd done. His cologne's familiar scent still lingered in my mind from days ago.
"Stop what?" he asked, his tone icy.
I didn't respond. Instead, I focused on my writing, scribbling words without purpose. I wasn't sure why I did that; it just felt necessary.
Sometimes, I hated what he'd done. We could've had an unbreakable bond, a friendship that would've lasted. But he'd ruined it. Ruined every single fucking thing.
I heard a faint rustle from his direction, probably reaching for a pen. But instead, something clattered softly onto the floor. I glanced down to see the same necklace from earlier lying there.

I picked it up, intending to hand it back to him. But as I offered it, he snatched it from my hand with an unsettling forcefulness.

Without a word, he stood up and strode out of the classroom. The sudden departure left me stunned.

The surrounding students turned to stare at me, their expressions accusing as if I'd done something wrong. But I was just as baffled. What just happened? What was it about that necklace that triggered him so much?
I wanted to apologise but my hate for him overcame my guilt.

The class got over, and as I got out, I saw Nicklaus and Kian on my way; Nicklaus looked at me and rolled his eyes while Kian wasn't maintaining eye contact.
"Hey, you're coming tonight right?" I turn back to see Sneha.
"Hey, yeah I am," I replied with a smile.
Sneha offered to drop me to my dorm, and I accepted. We chatted about random things on our way, till we parted ways.
I didn't get any sleep; my head was exploding, and my eyes were barely open. I collapsed into my bed, crawled into my blanket, my body shut down and I was asleep before I knew it.

I was six again, building towers with blocks, lost in my own little world. Then, gunfire. Shouting. My heart went haywire. I dropped everything and ran toward the chaos.

Dad's study. I burst in, and my world imploded. He stood there, surrounded by...I don't know, something awful. His eyes locked onto mine, pleading. Mom rushed over, sweeping me into her arms.

Hey baby, let's get you out of here, okay?' Her voice was soft, but her hands shook.

Dad's face twisted, his eyes begging me to leave. 'Go with Mom, sweetie.

They whisked me away, shielding me from the horror. But I saw a flash of crimson on the floor. A pool of red, spreading like a dark flower. It seemed to pulse with its own heartbeat, drawing my gaze.