In the bustling city of Melbourne, Cassalia and Blake are excited to embark on a new chapter of their lives, hoping to have a smooth and delightful first year at Melbourne University, where every moment will be beautiful and unforgettable.
However...
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I burst through the doors of the penthouse, my heart pounding, my eyes darting around the room. Silence greets me—eerie and empty. Cassy's not here. There's no sign of her. My pulse hammers faster as I search, half-expecting her to be curled up on the couch or standing by the balcony. But it's like she's been erased from this space, leaving only a hollow ache behind.
Eve's voice pulls me back, her eyes scanning my face as everyone walks into the penthouse. "Blake, where's Cassy?" she asks, worry twisting her features. But I can't answer, can't even meet her gaze. My mind is trapped in this haze, words tangled and useless. "Blake?"
I swallow, but it feels like I'm choking on the truth. "Blake, what's going on?" Jake's hand lands on my shoulder, steady but cautious. There's so much concern in his eyes "Bro, talk to us. What's going on?"
I'm paralyzed, the weight of everything I did—and didn't do—is bearing down on me.
Then Paul storms in, his face twisted in rage. Before I can even react, he lunges, and it takes Austin and Ray to hold him back. His eyes are filled with this barely-contained fury, and I can't look away—I can't look at anyone, the shame is threatening to choke me.
Ray's voice slices through the tension, frantic. "What the hell is going on?"
Paul glares at me, voice low and trembling with anger. "Are you going to tell them, or should I?"
I can't meet his eyes, can't face the reality of what he's about to say. But he doesn't wait for me to answer.
"Cassy and I walked in on Blake with Layla in a hotel room. He slept with her. That's why he didn't come back last night. He was with her"
The room goes dead silent. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, the disbelief and shock burning into my skin. Jake stumbles back, his face pale as he stares at me. "Bro...he's lying, right?"
I want to tell him it isn't true, that there's some other explanation. But I can't. I'm just as lost as they are, and my silence only confirms what they're already starting to believe.
"Are you serious?" Eve snaps, shoving me, her voice quaking with anger. "What the hell, Blake?"
I finally find my voice, the words coming out fractured, barely holding together. "I don't...I don't remember anything. I swear, I need to find Cassy. I need to explain—"
