*Lily*

The weight of the paperback in my hands might as well have been a leaden slab, sinking me deeper into the floral duvet that adorned my bed. My eyes were set on the cream-colored pages, but the words seemed to mock me. I couldn't focus on them, my mind consumed by inner turmoil and confusion as I reminisced about my conversation with Adrian this afternoon.

"Jealous, Everhart?" Adrian's voice echoed in my mind, laced with that infuriating smirk I could see ...