Chapter 119 CHAPTER 119
The kiss lingered with Lisa even after she pulled back.
She was still sitting in the car, her hand resting lightly on Liam’s arm, her heart warm and steady in a way it hadn’t been in a long time. The world outside the windshield felt distant, like noise she didn’t have to carry with her for once. She smiled to herself, then looked at him.
“You make everything feel lighter,” she said quietly. “Even school.”
Liam glanced at her, amused. “Careful. People might think I’m a distraction, and I would hate to distract you from your studies.”
She laughed softly. “If working at the Hale household like a slave didn’t distract me from teaching myself, I don’t think you will. If anything, you make me want to do better. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
He shook his head. “Never. You couldn’t disappoint me. You’ve already proven that.”
“Don’t say that,” she replied, half-smiling. “You can’t be sure.”
“I am sure,” he said simply. “I know in my heart there’s nothing you could do that would make me regret choosing you. If anything, I’m the one scared I might mess this up.”
She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. “You won’t. I chose you for a reason.”
They sat in that quiet for a moment longer before Liam sighed and nodded toward the school building. “We should go before you’re late.”
He walked her toward the entrance, his presence grounding but visible, and Lisa slowed near the doors. She stopped and turned to him.
“You don’t have to come all the way,” she said gently. “I’m getting used to the class. And when you’re there, everyone freezes. I want them to see me as… normal. Or at least try.”
He brushed his fingers lightly against hers, the contact brief enough that anyone watching would have missed it, but deliberate enough that she felt it everywhere. The warmth of his skin sent a quiet shiver through her, grounding and reassuring all at once. It was a promise made in silence - I’m here, even when I can’t stand beside you. Her fingers curled instinctively toward his, resisting the urge to hold on longer, and for a moment the world narrowed to that single point of contact, the secret of them passing between their hands where no one else could see.
“Text me if you need anything. I won’t be far.”
“I know,” she said, smiling.
She stepped away and headed toward the classroom. Just before she crossed the threshold, someone bumped into her from behind, hard enough to make her stumble forward. The person didn’t apologize. Didn’t even slow down.
Lisa turned instinctively, already knowing.
Sarah.
Sarah was moving fast, shoulders tense, eyes sharp, pushing into the classroom like she had something to prove. Lisa followed her in, her good mood dimming as she took in the scene unfolding inside.
Sarah was standing over Sebastian’s desk.
Sebastian sat stiffly, his face flushed, his posture defensive. Students around them had gone quiet, drawn in by the tension radiating between the two.
“What the hell was that this morning?” Sarah demanded. “What was that about building bridges? What was your father talking about?”
Sebastian lowered his voice. “This isn’t the place. We’ll talk later.”
“Oh, so now you decide when we talk?” Sarah shot back. “You’ve been avoiding me since the semester started. You don’t sit with me anymore. You don’t go to lunch with me. Everyone knows I’m your girlfriend, Sebastian. So explain to me why your parents suddenly don’t want me anywhere near you.”
Lisa stopped just inside the doorway, her chest tightening. The entire class was watching now.
Sebastian opened his mouth to respond, then froze.
He had seen her.
His eyes lifted and locked onto Lisa, surprise flashing across his face. For half a second, he looked like he might say her name.
Sarah followed his gaze.
Her expression shifted instantly. Shock bloomed across her face, perfectly performed.
“Cindy?” Sarah gasped pretending to be shocked. “What are you doing here?”
Lisa didn’t answer. She walked past them calmly, her steps measured, heading toward her desk as if nothing had been said.
Sarah wasn’t done.
She moved quickly, stepping into Lisa’s path and blocking her way. “Is this why?” she demanded, looking between Lisa and Sebastian. “Is this why you’ve been avoiding me?”
Lisa stopped.
She met Sarah’s eyes calmly, her expression unreadable, her voice steady despite the tension tightening in the room.
“Please excuse me,” she said evenly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and you’re blocking my path.”
For a split second, Sarah looked taken aback. She had expected Lisa to be authoritative and to bring up the fact that she was the princess of Mooncrest, then she would accuse her of taking advantage of her position to come between her relationship with Sebastian. Sarah had planned this well, she wanted to embarrass Lisa so she could accept the rejection publicly. She had not anticipated this version of her. But she was not going to accept defeat.
Her lips curled as she shot back at Lisa, “And you’re blocking my relationship with Sebastian,” she shot back. “You should have accepted the rejection.”
The word cut through the air.
A murmur rippled across the classroom.
“Rejection?” someone whispered.
“What rejection?” another voice followed.
Sarah turned slightly, she was getting the attention she wanted. She raised her voice just enough for everyone to hear. “Sebastian rejected her. She refused to accept it, disappeared, and now suddenly she’s here.”
Lisa felt the weight of every eye in the room settle on her, but she didn’t move. She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t flinch.
Sarah pressed on, emboldened by the attention. “Is that it?” she demanded, snapping her gaze back to Sebastian. “Is she poisoning you with the bond? Have you decided now you want her as your mate?”
The murmurs grew louder.
Sarah laughed bitterly. “Is that why your father told me to stay away from you?”
The room buzzed. Heads turned. Eyes widened.
Lisa felt heat rush to her face, but she stayed silent, her jaw tight, her hands clenched at her sides.
“Leave it,” Sebastian said firmly. “Just leave it.”
“No,” Sarah snapped. “I won’t.”
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the door. Sarah struggled, trying to yank her hand free.
“I’m not leaving until you tell me the truth,” she said loudly.
Sebastian dragged her out of the classroom, the door closing behind them with a sharp click.
Silence fell.
Lisa finally sat down, her heart pounding.
Ella leaned closer. “What was that about?”
Lisa shrugged. “Nothing.”
Ella hesitated, then lowered her voice. “She said something about bonds. Sebastian… he’s your fated mate, isn’t he?”
Lisa let out a soft, humorless chuckle and didn’t answer.
Ella leaned even closer. “I know about Commander Liam and you.”
Lisa stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“I saw you,” Ella whispered. “In the car. This morning.”
Lisa’s face went pale.
Outside, Sarah yanked her arm free. “You need to tell me what’s going on,” she demanded, her mask still intact. “Why is Cindy here?”
Sebastian exhaled sharply. “She’s not just Cindy. You should show her respect.”
Sarah scoffed. “Why should I respect her? She was a servant. She left after you rejected her. Who’s paying for her fees anyway? There’s no way she can afford Lunaris.”
Sebastian looked at her, his voice low and final.
“You respect her not as Cindy the Hale’s servant but as Princess Lisa of Mooncrest.”