First day of college. Well, not just any college. St. Bellamy’s, the ivy-drenched sanctuary of the elite. A place where old money met glossy futures and gossip spreads faster than grades. Gen had already survived her first year there, and Adrian was deep into his third. Then there’s me. I’m just beginning.

The house smelled like espresso and citrus, Dad’s morning smoothie ritual. I padded into the kitchen, still in my robe, the weight of my nerves tucked under a smile.

“Someone ...