Chapter 52 What Comes Around
Chapter 52 What Comes Around
ARDEN
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The door to Mr. Winters‘ office swung <b>shut </b>behind us with <b>a </b>heavy thud. He remained inside, and the moment Cade brought up the issue being addressed beyond the school walls, Mr. Winters immediately sided with him.
Figures. That man only cared about the school’s well–being.
As we stepped into the hallway, the tension didn’t dissipate, it trailed behind us, refusing to let go. Sienna hurried after Cade het heels tapping frantically against the polished floor.
“Cade, wait–please. You can’t just kick me out of the faction like <b>this</b><b>.</b>”
“You barely know who I am,” she added, her voice filled with urgency
Cade halted and turned to face her. “Exactly,” he muttered, irritation heard in his tone. “Why would you choose me if that was the case?”
She bit her lip, and I watched as desperation wed its way to the surface of her expression. “I… like you!” she eximed shyly. “I admire your faction very much, and I believe choosing you is for the best.”
Her gaze was innocent, the same look she always wore one that even fooled Jaxon. I felt my breath hitch when Cade remained <b>silent </b>Sienna had always relied on her looks and naivete to get what she wanted.
“You should have thought of that before drugging someone,” Cade said. I nced between <b>them</b>, finding his expression unyielding, still <b>cold </b>as he regarded her.
“The North does <b>not </b>ept such actions.”
Sienna bit her lip again, and I could almost see the gears in her mind turning. “You’re just doing this because I’m <b>not </b>originally from your faction. If it were one of your members-
“I would have done the same, Cade cut her off decisively. “You should have thought twice before <b>acting</b>.
“I just Sienna floundered, her mouth <b>twitching </b>and tears–brimming in her eyes.
Bui Cade wasn’t looking at her anymore. His shoulders were squared, and he strode ahead with determination. For the first time, Sienna appeared like a crumpled petal beneath a heavy foot–stepped on and dismissed. Deep down, I knew no amount of pleading would change Cade Cahan’s <b>mind</b>.
Meanwhile, Kieran was pacing along the wall, phone pressed to his ear. “Yes, I said I need it now. Like, today,” he snapped. <i>“</i>No, I don’t care <b>what </b>time it is! They’re making me pay for some idiot’s hospital bill. Yeah, I know it’s not fair, but that’s what they said–just wire it. Mom
I couldn’t help but let a small, smug sinile creep onto my lips. So, he was talking to our parents. They were struggling to pay for his fees, I knew <b>that </b>all too well. This <b>was </b>just another blow to their already tight budget.
To be honest, I didn’t even feel <b>bad</b>. They were the ones who allowed Kieran to be this <b>way</b>.
The scene wrapped me in a cloak of quiet satisfaction. I had thought all hope was lost. I had believed I would have to <b>walk </b>away from everything.
<b>But </b>Cade
He hade in like he always <b>dil</b>–eractly when I needed him the most.
<b>1 </b>quickened my pace and caught up to him just before he turned the corner down another hallway,
““, my voice soft yet insistent.
He used fus eyes wing back at me. “Yeah?”
1ocked up at him, hesitating as I gathered my thoughts. “Why did you do it)”
Chapter 52 What Comes Around.
+5 Free <b>Coins </b>
He raised a <b>brow</b>. “Do what?”
“You know what.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “Come in like that. Fight for me like that.”
Was it for… wef
That question lingered on the tip of my tongue, but I was grateful it didn’t escape.
There <b>was </b>a brief pause. His lips parted slightly, as if he were about to answer immediately–but then he pressed them into a firm <b>line</b>.
“It’s for my faction,” he said.
I swallowed hard.
“Right, Imuttered, the disappointment creeping in.
Of course, it wasn’t for me.
I don’t want someone like Sienna in my faction,” he continued. “Tessa and Owen are hurt. While we’re at Elite, they fall under my leadership. <b>That </b>makes it my responsibility. I did what I had to do.”
“Of course,” I replied, nodding, my admiration for him reluctantly resurfacing. “You’re a great leader.”
Cade studied me <b>for </b>a second before speaking again.
“Go see your friend,” he finally said, stepping away. “Make sure he’s alright.”
And with that, he walked off, turning the corner and disappearing into the bustling noise of the school.
I felt Tessa approach beside me, her hand brushing against mine.
“What did he say?” she asked.
I pursed my lips, not ready to divulge everything. “Let’s go, I muttered. “Let’s see if Owen’s alright.”
She nodded in agreement.
Together, we made our way to the clinic. The hallways <b>had </b>grown quieter now, a natural urrence since the after–party had happened just the night before <b>and </b>it was the weekend.
The scent of floor <b>wax </b>and sterile air filled the medical <b>wing</b>. As we entered, he nurse looked up from her clipboard and offered us a tired, gentle smile.
“He’s resting.” she <b>said </b>softly.
“Is he <b>alright</b>?” I <b>asked </b><b>as </b>I peeked <b>through </b>the curtains where Oweny.
“Tessa and Arden, right?” the nurse <b>inquired</b>, her tone friendly.
The two of <b>us </b>nodded,‘<b>unsure </b>of where this conversation was heading.
“He kept telling the to keep you two safe,” she chuckled softly. “Anyway, he’s alright. <b>His </b>guardians aren’t picking up. heard that all the medical expenses will be <b>taken </b>care of by the school.”
I cted, a sigh of relief escaping my lips. However, her next words caused my breath to hitch.
bur I
He has a mild concussion, so we’re transporting him to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Nothing too
geous, but he’ll need to miss school for a few days–probably a week. Light activity only after that,”
My drifted to the bed where Owen was, eyes closed, an IV inserted in his arm. A bandage was wrapped around his forehead, a reminder of the violence.
Tessa crossed her arms,ting her lip as worry etched across her face. “He’ll be <b>okay</b>, right?”
1:14 AM
Chapter 52 What Comes Around
The nurse nodded reassuringly. “We’ll monitor him until the ambnce arrives.”
I settled into a chair by <b>his </b>bedside, my gaze fixed on the slow rise and fall of his chest.
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He didn’t <b>have </b>to do it. He didn’t have to show up at that <b>mansion</b>, ready to <b>fight </b>for me. And now, he was paying the price with bruises–scars <b>that </b>weren’t even his to bear.
A tight knot formed in my chest.
“Oh<b>, </b>honey,” the nurse said softly, noticing Tessa’s injury. “That wound will leave a scar if we don’t treat it immediately. Please, have a seat for a moment,”
Tessa needed care too.
I bit my lip, wrestling with my thoughts. I could handle my own pain just fine, but how long would my friends continue to suffer because <b>of </b>me<b>! </b>
<b>Tessa </b>and Owen were hurting…
Cade’s voice echoed in my mind, a haunting reminder of the choices that <b>had </b>led us here.
I blinked back the sting of tears threatening to spill over.
It wasn’t enough to be protected anymore. It wasn’t sufficient to simply watch from the sidelines while others fought my battles. I needed to be more. I had to step up and protect them too.
And there was only one person I could trust with that kind of fight.
Before I knew it, my feet began to move on their own ord.
“Where are you going?” Tessa called after me.
I paused only briefly, turning to nce back at her.
“Please.. just take care of Owen <b>for </b><b>now</b>,” I <b>said</b>, breathless <b>as </b>I dashed down the corridor.
1 had no clear sense of direction, no map in my mind nor destination in my heart. Just an instinct, a pull deep in my gut. My footsteps echoed against the quiet stone floors <b>as </b>I hurried through the halls, past the empty courtyards, and toward the one ce where I <i>felt </i>safe.
The maze gardens.
I wasn’t sure how I knew he’d be there. Perhaps it <b>was </b><b>because </b>the two of us often found <b>sce </b>in this serenity. Or maybe it was simply one of the <bst </b>quiet ces left within the chaos of Elite.
But as I stepped into the garden, my breath <b>caught </b>in my throat at the sight before me.
Cade
He was sprawled across the curved stone bench beneath the arch of ivy and moonflowers, one arm casually folded behind <b>his </b><b>head</b><b>. </b>However, the moment I stepped onto the gravel <b>path</b>, his eyes fluttered open.
“What are you <b>doing </b>here?” he asked.
I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling in rhythm with my racing heart.
Thetter taste of helplessness washed over me. Then there was Cade, who–even when I <b>hadn’t </b>asked–always stepped in to
I walked her feeling the leaves brush against my arm as I passed. His <b>gaze </b>remained fixed on me, unwavering as I drew
Taking arach, 1 steadied myself.
Te made my decision,” I whispered.
1:14 AM c ch
Chapter 52 What Comes Around.
Cade tilted his head slightly, waiting for me to continue.
“I’ll sleep with you.”
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