Untouchable

0.23

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Ivy’s POV

The moment Adrian walked away, the air between Kennedy and me shifted.

Like a predator realizing its prey was cornered.

She stood there, arms crossed, lips curved into the faintest smirk. Not playful, not friendly—just knowing.

I folded my arms, masking my unease. “What do you want, Kennedy?”

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “What, no small talk first?”

I stared at her.

She sighed dramatically. “Fine, I’ll get to the point.” She took a step closer. “Your relationship with Alistair was fake, wasn’t it?”

My stomach lurched, but I didn’t react.

Didn’t flinch. Didn’t confirm. Didn’t deny.

Just watched her.

Kennedy’s smirk grew. “Oh, come on, Ivy. Don’t look so shocked. Did you really think no one would figure it out?” She lowered her voice, almost conspiratorial. “You should’ve been more careful. People talk.”

I still didn’t say anything.

She let out a soft laugh. “Relax. I don’t care.”

Lie.

Her eyes flickered, scanning me for any cracks. “But you know who will care? Adrian. Nathaniel. Sebastian.” She paused. “They’re not dumb. Eventually, they’ll start wondering why you and Alistair put on such a show. And when they do? That’s when things start falling apart.”

I clenched my jaw. “Your point?”

Kennedy smiled like she had already won. “You’ve already ruined enough, Ivy.”

My fingers twitched at my sides.

“You think this is about some stupid fake relationship?” She scoffed. “No. This is bigger than you. Bigger than all of us.”

I exhaled through my nose, voice flat. “Enlighten me.”

Kennedy took another step closer, eyes locked onto mine. “Adrian and Alistair have been friends since birth. Nathaniel and Sebastian have been with them since kindergarten. They have history, Ivy. Real history. And you—” she gestured vaguely at me, “—waltzed in and started unraveling everything without even realizing it.”

I swallowed, forcing myself to hold her gaze.

She was lying. Twisting the truth to make me doubt myself.

But the worst part?

She wasn’t completely wrong.

“I’m not doing anything to them,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

Kennedy’s smirk returned. “Aren’t you?”

I didn’t answer.

She tilted her head, like she was studying me. “Adrian barely talks to Alistair anymore. Nathaniel has been acting out of character. Sebastian’s stuck in the middle. You don’t think that has anything to do with you?”

I clenched my teeth.

She sighed. “Look, I don’t care who you’re with. Alistair, Nathaniel, Adrian—it doesn’t matter to me.” She paused. “But you? You’re going to ruin all of them.”

I let out a sharp breath. “That’s not true.”

Kennedy smiled, slow and knowing. “Isn’t it?”

She let the question hang between us before finally stepping back.

“I’m just saying,” she continued, voice softening like she actually cared, “maybe you should take a step back before things get worse.”

I said nothing.

Kennedy held my gaze for another moment, then turned.

But just before she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder, her voice deceptively gentle.

“Think about it, Ivy. Is any of this really worth ruining years of friendship?”

Then she was gone.

And I was left standing there, her words ringing in my head.

I knew what she was doing. I knew she wanted to push me out.

But still.

Was she right?

Was I making everything worse?

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. No. I wasn’t going to let her get in my head.

I turned and walked away.

But the doubt lingered.

And that? That was exactly what Kennedy wanted.

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