Chapter 20

Orion quickly locked his phone screen. Thaddeus raised an eyebrow. "Judging by the profile picture, it looks like a girl. Is it that girl you helped the other day—what's her name?"

"Your chatter is annoying me," Orion snapped.

"You won't admit it," Thaddeus persisted. "You were holed up in the infirmary last week, and now you're MIA, looking gloomy. Got into a fight with her?"

Orion turned away, his gaze sharp. "Mind your own business."

"We've been close since diapers," Thaddeus protested. "What don't I know? Come on, cut the act!"

Orion, phone in hand, stepped onto the balcony, glancing at their chat. So, she thinks of the health office as some kind of secret base? he mused, chuckling softly as he opened her Facebook page.

Her posts were typical teenage fare. He scrolled, suddenly realizing he'd spent too long thinking about her. It felt unnervingly out of control.

Orion quickly closed the messaging app and returned to the living room.

Lemira waited all day for a response. Was he angry? She decided against messaging him, waiting until Monday's test results.

All weekend, Lemira stayed home, studying diligently. Evelina and her brothers remained at training camp.

Monday morning arrived. Lemira went downstairs and saw Evelina and her brothers, their bond seemingly stronger than before. Without speaking, she headed to the dining hall for breakfast.

Alaric's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Test results today, huh?"

Lemira nodded. "Yeah."

"I told you," Alaric sneered, "you should have joined the team. With your grades, you won't get into a decent college. Instead of wasting time studying, you'd be better off training professionally. We could provide the resources; fame would have been yours. Too bad you missed the opportunity. It's all Eve's now."

Lemira, remembering the humiliation of her past life, calmly replied, "I'm not bothered."

After breakfast, Lemira left the dining hall.

Alaric, infuriated by her indifference, muttered, "I can't wait to see her 'great achievements'!"

Evelina, relieved Lemira hadn't joined the team, knew Lemira's gaming skill would have cost her her spot. Maintaining a smile, she said, "Ari, don't be mad. Lemmy's just being stubborn. Once she joins, I'll gladly give up my spot."

Alaric nodded, pleased. "You always know best!"

Evelina's smile faltered; resentment filled her heart. Her relentless practice aimed at gaining Alaric's approval, yet he still favored Lemira. Determined to prove herself and eliminate any thought of Lemira joining the team, she focused on the gaming competition.

Alaric looked worried; the revival match was crucial, and losing meant no second chances. Despite Evelina's effort, her natural talent was lacking. With only a month until the match, she wasn't ready.

Beating the Everhart kid required real skill. Lemira was their only hope.

He couldn't bring himself to ask her, though. He was used to Lemira's attempts to please him, to their established dynamic. He couldn't adapt.

How long would Lemira maintain this charade? Would she truly force him to humble himself?