Chapter 12

The air in the office thinned the moment he stepped in.

And then time stopped.

He walked in like he owned the very air they breathed, his expensive black coat nearly touching the floor as it trailed behind him like a nefarious Dracula’s cape.

Kendall’s chest nearly caved in, her stomach twisting violently as she stared at his face.

No. Please, no…

It couldn’t be him. Not here, not right now.

But it was. Fear had its icy grip on every inch of her soul, and even the blood in her veins had gone cold.

It was him. The man who had saved her that night. The one who’d pulled a gun on her attackers like he was flicking a fly off his shoulder. The one whose face had been seared into her memory—dark hair, chiselled features. Unbothered, expressionless and calm even in the middle of chaos.

The inside of the coat was red, as was the underside of his shoes. His hands didn’t leave the pockets of his black slacks, and the ice didn’t leave his gaze as he stared flatly at his daughter. His slow steps echoed through the office, and the headmaster stood shakily.

He didn’t look at him, though, still staring at Sabrina like he could communicate with his eyes how sick he was of her misbehaviour.

He came closer until he stood in front of them, and Kendall felt fresh goosebumps break out on her skin. He was unbelievably close, too close for her composure, but she couldn’t turn away.

Stiffly, she stared up at his face, terrified that he’d look at her, terrified that he’d recognise her and tell everyone what a fraud she was.

That she was nothing but a dirty girl he’d picked up in an alley, and she was here pretending to be one of them. That she was a servant in a princess’s costume.

But he did nothing of the sort.

He didn’t even glance at her, not a flicker of acknowledgement in his eyes.

“Hi, Daddy,” Sabrina said softly.

Snapped out of her trance, Kendall finally turned away from the man before her to look at Sabrina.

She nearly did a double-take. The sharp-tongued, furious girl who’d been scowling at the principal was nowhere to be seen.

In her place was a wide-eyed, pouting and pink-cheeked princess, staring up at her father like he was breaking her heart just by being there.

Kendall paused. Another load of shock slammed into her as she suddenly realised something. She’d been too preoccupied, but now, slowly looking back at the man, she paled even further.

Of all people... he was Sabrina’s father?

She couldn’t breathe.

Without a word, he turned around and pulled out a chair at the Headmaster’s table, sitting down on it.

“Welcome, Mr Sinclair,” the Headmaster said, rushing to sit. “So sorry for making you come all the way out here. And, sorry for not having the right welcome party to receive you at the gates—”

“Headmaster.”

Kendall tensed, her spine straightening. His voice dripped with authority, every dip and inflexion of the sound carrying a frequency so weakening, it commanded submission from all who heard it.

The Headmaster seemed to be on the verge of collapse, if the colour of his face was anything to go by. He was whiter than the Ghost of Christmas Past.

“Yes, Sir.”

Lucien released a tired sigh, looking at his fingers. “I’ve… rescheduled a very important meeting to be here. Hopefully, you can explain to me why you thought it was a good idea to let my daughter gallivant around town with no form of protection.”

Sabrina pouted. “The driver was with us, Daddy. We didn’t go alone.”

Kendall closed her eyes and prayed for Sabrina to be quiet.

“R-right,” the Headmaster said. “Ms Sinclair insisted that you’re aware and that they wouldn’t be alone.”

Lucien raised his grey eyes to stare at the man, and the Headmaster suddenly felt like he owed the cartel money. “So, you let out two silly sixteen-year-old girls? How many times has this happened before?”

“I’m sorry, Sir.”

“You’re afraid of kids, Mr Kinnel?” Lucien questioned with a touch of disgust. “You’re being bossed around by a kid?”

“She’s your kid, Mr Sinclair,” the man weakly commented.

“That doesn’t make a difference!” Lucien stated.

Kendall could’ve sworn the office darkened.

“She stays inside unless I say otherwise!” he continued. “I didn’t send her here because I want a school that bends to her will and allows her every caprice. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Sir. It’s never happening again, Mr Sinclair. I’m terribly sorry, Sir.”

Lucien spun around, staring at his daughter. “And you listen to me, young lady—”

“Daddy, I’m sorry,” she said with a pout.

He raised his brows, shaking his head. “I don’t care.”

Sabrina gasped delicately. “But… I only did it so I could have a friend! So, why did you send me to this stinking boarding school anyway?! I’m so lonely, I really wanted Kendall to be my friend, so I did everything she wanted!”

Kendall froze. Slowly, she looked at Sabrina. Everything… she wanted?

It was like her existence suddenly materialised, and Kendall’s presence became visible to Lucien Sinclair.

His head turned slowly to her and stopped, his gaze fixating on her face so sharply, she flinched.

“Everything… she wanted?” he said darkly. His gaze, done scrutinising her face, gave the rest of her a vague once-over.

Without addressing her, he returned his gaze to his daughter.

Just like that, she was dismissed. Kendall felt a clump of air whoosh out of her lungs as her heart pounded. He’d looked at her. He hadn’t recognised her. She felt like she was about to die, and it was getting harder to control the tremors fluttering through her body. She was scared out of her mind.

“Yeah!” Sabrina said. With a sad sniff, she petulantly crossed her arms. “You just don’t get it, Dad! You don’t know what it’s like to live as me, your reputation makes everyone scared of me. Sometimes I just wanna be a normal girl, and Kendall’s the only one who treats me normally. So, I did everything she asked me to. It’s not her fault! She said she wouldn’t spend time with me if I didn’t take her shopping, but I’m the one who got the Headmaster to let us go, so don’t blame Kendall. I’m just grateful she even hangs out with me. Even if it means breaking your rules.”

That was it.

The start of the shift between them.

Best friends? An untouchable duo? No.

The true relationship between Sabrina and Kendall was about to shift out of the fake image they’d created into what Sabrina had really planned for it to be.

A challenge of dominance and submission.

She looked at Kendall. Pouted. “Tell them, Kendall. Tell them how you made me do it.”