Second Place Still Burns
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- Parts 4
MatureOngoing26m
Last published Mon, Aug 25, 2025
Amara Sloane Cruz has always been an academic achiever. Since day one, she made it her goal to be on top of the class and honestly, she made it look easy. She was the type of student who didn't just get high grades, she had that calm, effortless confidence that made people notice without her even trying. Smart, reliable, and the kind of leader everyone trusted. She stood out in everything, not because she wanted to shine, but because she had this way of making everyone around her want to do better too.
Everything was going smoothly. Until Mark Vincent Ty showed up.
Her academic rival in college. The only person who could actually keep up with her, match her score for score, and sometimes even beat her. He wasn't just smart- he was intense, competitive, and somehow, annoyingly charming. He threw her off in a way no one else ever had. Their rivalry wasn't loud, but it was there in every top score, every debate, every glance across the room. And for the first time, Amara started to wonder if being number one still mattered as much as it used to.
Because what if the one person who challenged her the most... was also the one person she was slowly falling for?
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"I hate you," she whispered softly, as if the words were a secret meant more for her than for me. "I know, baby." A subtle smile played on my lips as I spoke, and I gently buried my head in the warmth of her neck. "And it better stay that way." ♡ He met his match. A person unwavering to his dirty antics merely because of his popularity and the constant fulfillment of his desires. Perhaps that's what fueled his resentment toward her. She refused to be one of his "fans". She fought back, talked back, and boldly rebuked him. She provoked him, opposed him, leaving an indelible mark on his ego. He loathed her for it. Why couldn't she play the submissive pawn or step aside? In turn, she despised his inflated ego and the way he believed the world revolved around him. Their rivalry extended beyond mere dislike, permeating through academics, sports, and the rich tapestry of cultural endeavors. Within the halls of GreenWood University, it was common knowledge that Lana Angelica Smithson and Nicolas Kai Harper harboured a profound and unmistakable animosity towards each other. . . . mature content ⚠️ (details in the first chapter) . . . You do not need to read the first book (HIS OBSESSION) to understand this one. It's a standalone. . . .
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