Chapter 24

Chapter 24
Chapter 24 – Sera

“Is that…?”

The voice came from somewhere in the crowd, but honestly, it could’ve been anyone. Everyone was whispering and staring.

Because at the front gates of Virelade there was a car so polished, so sleek, so ridiculously expensive that half the boys were practically drooling.

A black limousine, shiny as glass, with a crest stamped on the side that screamed wealth and power.

And stepping out of it Kael’s father.

He was tall, perfectly tailored suit, with an aura of authority. He wasn’t just wealthy, he was untouchable.

“Holy...” River whistled low under his breath. “Is that him? The Kael Ashbourne senior?”

Luca grinned. “In the flesh. Damn! no wonder Kael walks like he owns every room he enters. It’s genetic.”

Theo was awed “That car alone could feed me for ten years.”

I didn’t say anything. My eyes flicked to Kael instead. He was already striding toward the gates, his expression was unreadable and his jaw was set like stone.

Every student in the courtyard turned to watch. Even the teachers looked stiff, nodding respectfully as Kael approached his father.

“Should we...?” River began, bouncing on his heels.

Luca was already moving. “Of course we can’t exactly let Kael have all the spotlight.”

River jogged to catch up. “Man, I want to touch that car. Do you think he’ll let me sit in it? No, no don’t answer, I already know the answer.”

Theo shoved another snack in his mouth and muttered, “Groupies,” but he followed anyway.

And Alexander… well, Alexander didn’t say a word. He just adjusted his blazer and walked with quiet confidence to join them.

Then It hit me , of course! They were the Sovereign Circle. Sons of the country’s most influential families. Kael, Luca, River, and Alexander… they weren’t just popular here. They were practically royalty.

And me?

I was the fraud hiding in the corner.

I tightened my grip on my phone, slipping away while everyone’s attention was swallowed by the limousine and Kael’s imposing father.

I sat on the stone bench under the tree, the shade cooling my overheated skin. My thumb hovered over my phone screen before I finally tapped the call button.

The line clicked, and then

“Sera?” My mom’s soft and warm voice.

My throat tightened. “Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, sweetheart. I’ve been waiting for your call. How is St. Helia? Do you like it there?”

I stared at the manicured grass, forcing my lips into a smile although she couldn’t see. “It’s… funny.”

“Funny?” Mom chuckled. “That’s an odd way to describe a school.”

“Yeah.” I laughed weakly, clutching the phone tighter. “The teachers are strict but… the people are nice and my roommate is tolerable, I guess.”

It was a lie.

All of it.

Because I wasn’t at St. Helia. I was at Virelade, staying in secrets, pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Pretending so hard that it hurt.

“That’s good, honey.” Her voice was relieved, “I was worried, you know. St. Helia is such a competitive place, but I knew you could handle it. You’ve always been strong.”

Strong.

That wasn't completely the truth, I wasn’t strong. I was barely holding it together, every second terrified of being caught.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry.”

We talked for a few more minutes about the weather, about her work, about the neighbor’s cat that kept climbing onto our roof. Ordinary things.

But my hands shook the entire time.

When we finally said goodbye, I sat there staring at my screen, I was feeling guilt for lying to my mother but I had no other choice, this was the only way.

“You lie to her easily.”