Elise's heart pounded as she walked across campus, clutching her bag tightly. Anastasia's words haunted her—He cried. The guilt gnawed at her until she couldn't take it anymore. She had to find Davon. She had to at least apologize.
Her steps slowed when she passed the back of the old library. Voices carried from the shadows, hushed but sharp. She stopped, straining to listen.
"…we'll finish her off soon," Nikki's voice sneered.
Ellie laughed softly. "She's too naïve to see it coming. Once she's out of the way, Davon will stop wasting his time with her."
Elise's breath caught, her body trembling. Ellie…? Her friend?
Another voice joined in—one that froze Elise's blood.
It was Anastasia.
"She trusts me completely. This will be easier than I thought."
Elise's heart cracked in two. Anastasia? My cousin…?
She didn't stay to hear more. Tears blurred her vision as she turned and ran, her chest aching as though her world was collapsing. She sprinted blindly across the courtyard until she collided with a solid figure.
"Elise—" Davon steadied her before she could fall. His crimson eyes widened at her tear-streaked face. "What happened?"
She shook her head, sobbing. "I… I'm sorry! I should have listened to you. I was so stupid—Ellie, Nikki, they're plotting against me and… and Anastasia—" her voice broke, "I heard her voice with them!"
Davon's arms tightened protectively around her. "Elise, breathe. Tell me everything."
Between sobs, she explained what she had heard. Davon's jaw clenched, anger flashing in his eyes—but also worry, deep and raw.
Then, footsteps echoed behind them. Elise turned, fear spiking—only to see Anastasia and Patricia rushing toward her.
"Elise!" Anastasia cried, her face stricken. "What happened? Why are you crying?"
Elise stumbled back, shaking her head. "Don't come closer—I heard you! I heard you with them!"
Anastasia froze, her eyes wide with shock. "Me? Elise, no—I would never hurt you! I swear on my life!"
Patricia stepped forward calmly, placing a hand on Elise's shoulder. Her voice was steady, reassuring. "Elise, I can promise you—Anastasia isn't your enemy. I'd know if she was lying. You're being tricked. Someone is imitating her voice."
Elise's sobs slowed, confusion filling her chest. She looked between Anastasia's desperate face, Patricia's calm certainty, and Davon's burning eyes.
For the first time, she didn't know who to believe.