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Chapter 140
~Rose’s POV~
I jumped slightly.
"Rose, darling!" ca the soft, lodic voice I loathed more than I let on.
I scrambled upright, quickly flipping the phone over to hide the screen. "I have to go," I whispered and ended the call.
The door creaked open, and she walked in—my supposed real mother, the woman who birthed , or so she thought.
She smiled kindly when she laid eyes on "Rose, who were you talking to on the phone?"
I blinked, feigning innocence. "Who? Oh—just a friend. Nothing major."
"But you called her ’Mum.’"
My heart leapt into my throat, but I forced a nervous giggle. "Oh, this?" I picked up my phone and flashed the now-blank screen. "My school mum. A senior two years ahead of —she calls her ’daughter.’"
"Two years?" Mum wasn’t entirely buying it.
"Yeah, that was when I just got into the school. She was pretty cool and helpful. We were just catching up about school, my birthday party... and then, well, the whole ss with Spring ca up."
Her expression softened imdiately. She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around in a warm hug. "You don’t have to worry, sweetheart. I won’t let that girl bully you anymore."
I closed my eyes and lted into her arms, a perfect picture of the victim.
"Thank you, Mummy," I whispered. But inside, I was already plotting the next move.
"So..." she pulled away from the hug. "How are you looking forward to the trip with the family?" Mum asked, a little excitedly.
"I huh..."
"Don’t be shy. I heard from the driver that he had taken you to your brother’s."
"Yes, mum." I nodded and looked at my fingers fiddling with the hem of my shirt.
"Baby." I glanced up at her. "You don’t have to be this way, you know. I love and adore you. Tell , how was seeing your brothers again?"
I shrugged. "Yesterday wasn’t much. I wasn’t invited into the house. Spring opened the door for . She didn’t like seeing there but as soon as I saw Eryx and Rhys, I rushed in to hug them both."
I put on my best performance as I stared at her cutely. "Mum, I missed them so much. I missed Rhys, Eryx and big bro Kaius. I... I feel like my coming into this family put a big dent on our relationship. Now... now my brothers don’t want anything to do with since Spring started..."
I sniffled and wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks.
Mum shushed softly. "Don’t cry."
"I... I feel like my coming into this family put a big dent in our relationship," I whispered, voice wavering just enough to sound raw. "Now... now my brothers don’t want anything to do with since Spring started getting all this attention."
Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I didn’t even wipe the second one away.
I wanted her to see it. I needed her to.
Mum’s arms wrapped around again, tighter this ti.
She stroked my hair with a tenderness that was both comforting and pathetic. "Shhh... don’t cry, baby. It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault."
I buried my face in her shoulder, smothering the smile that threatened to escape.
"But they don’t talk to the sa anymore," I murmured. "Eryx barely looked at . Rhys wouldn’t et my eye. And Kaius... he didn’t even co to the door."
Mum’s voice went a touch icy.
"They’ve changed. All of them. That girl—Spring—she’s put a wedge between you and your brothers. But I won’t allow it."
She pulled back to cup my cheeks, her thumbs gently brushing away my fake tears.
"You’re my daughter. My precious girl. You have endured so much. And I’m going to rebuild this family if it’s the last thing I do."
I looked up at her, sniffing delicately.
"What if... what if I stayed with Rhys for a while? Just for the school week. I could get closer to him again. Maybe even bond with Spring a little. If she saw we weren’t enemies, maybe the tension would go away. Maybe... they’d love again."
Mum paused for a mont, studying . I didn’t blink. I needed her to believe it was a fragile suggestion, not a calculated step.
Her hand moved to my hair, gently combing through it with her fingers as she nodded slowly.
"That’s... actually not a bad idea. If it ans nding things between you and your brothers, I’ll speak with Rhys about it."
I smiled faintly, eyes lowered. "I just want to be part of the family again."
She leaned in and kissed my forehead. "You are, Rose. And I’ll make sure they rember that. I’ll make sure they see the wonderful girl you are—not the twisted version Spring paints."
"Thanks, Mum." My voice was soft, grateful. But in my chest, my heart thrumd with sothing else entirely.
Because if everything went as planned... Living under the sa roof with Spring would be the perfect opportunity to destroy her from the inside out.
"Thanks, mum."
"Anything for my lovely rose."
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~Spring’s POV~
The final bell rang like the sweet chi of temporary freedom.
I stepped out of class with Tyrion already waiting for at the edge of the hallway, leaning against the railing like he owned the place.
His arms were crossed, his hair was ruffled slightly by the breeze, and that usual lazy smirk rested on his lips.
I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at mine.
"I’m ready," I told him.
He raised a brow. "Sure? Last chance to ditch and run off to Chemistry club or sothing nerdy."
I laughed. "Very sure."
As we walked out of the school building, I pulled out my phone and dialed Rhys. He picked up after the first ring.
"Hey," he said. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah. Good evening. Just calling to let you know I’m spending so ti with Tyrion after school. He’ll drop off at ho later."
There was a pause before he spoke. "Got it. Be careful. And tell Tyrion I’ll co after him if anything happens."
I chuckled. "Noted, and nothing bad would happen. I trust Tyrion."
"I know you do, little sis. Love you. Pecks on the forehead."
"Received with thanks, Rhys."
We hung up, and just as I tucked the phone away, a notification pinged.
I took my phone out to check the caller.
Eryx: Hey, what ti would you get back? Tech class, rember?
Oh. Crap.
I quickly typed back.
: I’m sorry, I have sothing to do with Tyrion. Rain check?
A second later, a single sad emoji appeared.
Then another ssage: I’ll see you on the weekend for the family trip thing. I’ll co over.
That made smile.
Sure. I’ll save you so cake by the ti you co. I typed, then slipped the phone back in my pocket.
I didn’t notice Tyrion had been watching until he casually reached out and took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world.
It was strange how comfortable it felt. His warmth seeped into my skin.
"Ready for your first ride?" he asked, pulling gently toward the courtyard.
"Definitely."
As we stepped outside, the late afternoon sun had painted the sky in soft gold and coral streaks.
The courtyard buzzed lightly with students heading off, but my attention was snagged by two familiar silhouettes near the school gate.
Jace and Kael.
They stood side by side, Jace with his usual easy charm, Kael with that unreadable gaze of his. Both of them looked in our direction, and for the briefest mont, I caught it.
That flicker of sothing like jealousy?
It wasn’t loud or bitter, but it was there lingering in Kael’s clenched jaw and the way Jace’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. I lifted a hand and waved to them, keeping it casual.
"See you guys!" I called.
Kael gave a small nod. Jace raised his hand, but he didn’t say anything.
Tyrion tugged gently at my hand. "Ignore them. Let’s go."
We walked across the pavent toward where his bike sat—sleek, jet black, and with chro shining like polished steel. It looked expensive. And dangerous. Like sothing that fits him perfectly.
He stopped beside it and turned to , holding out a hand again. "My lady."
I arched a brow, smirking. "You’re so dramatic."
He didn’t argue.
I placed my hand in his, letting him guide to the bike. He helped up like a gentleman and then handed a helt. I pulled it over my head and adjusted the strap.
"Hold on tight," Tyrion said, strapping on his own.
"Try not to kill us," I muttered.
"Where’s the fun in that?"
The engine roared to life beneath us, vibrating with raw power. And the second his foot hit the accelerator, we were flying.
The wind fluttered in my face. My arms wrapped around his waist at the start, and all the rules I lived by, for a mont... they didn’t matter.
Tyrion’s bike cut through the city.
I hadn’t expected it to be so... thrilling. The wind tangled my hair at the edges of my helt, and the roar of the engine rumbled through my bones.
I could feel Tyrion’s solid strength as he leaned into each turn with ease.
The world blurred past us—traffic, pedestrians, towering buildings, all fading into a streak of colours and motion.
We didn’t speak for most of it.
The city gradually fell away behind us, replaced by wide roads and open stretches.
The sky had already begun to shift into dusk, tinged in shades of lavender and deepening gold. I tilted my head up, just a little, to see the horizon bleeding into twilight.
When Tyrion finally slowed, I noticed a wide iron gate ahead with a sleek digital scanner mounted beside it.
We rolled to a gentle stop as the scanner blinked red.
Tyrion reached into his jacket, pulled out a black wristband, and pressed it to the panel. The light blinked once—green—and the heavy gates began to groan open.
I blinked behind my visor.
On the other side of the gate was... a track.
A real one.
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