Part 3The Heiress Knew I Was Back

I panicked, trapped as she cornered me against the elevator wall.

“Don’t pretend. Since we’ve been given a second chance, I only expect you to play your current role well. Don’t make Owen unhappy. Remember. This is what you owe him.”

She cut me off, leaning in so her shadow completely enveloped me.

“He’s nervous because you’re not there. Clean yourself up and go back to him.”

With that, the swirling, complex emotion in her dark eyes snapped back to icy coldness. She turned abruptly, hit the lobby button, and stepped out.

I couldn’t hold myself up any longer, sliding down the cold wall to the floor.

A second chance. I hadn't gone near her. I hadn't even spoken to her beyond a few words. Why did she still believe I owed Owen? Why was I still the sinner?

My phone vibrated. A text from Owen:

“Ash, are you okay? Why are you taking so long?”

Seeing his name, I quickly wiped my tears, scrambling back to my feet. At least for now, I couldn’t afford to cross this madwoman.

I pushed the lounge door open. The atmosphere inside was at a fever pitch. Everyone was gathered, cheering for Sloan and Owen in the center of the room.

“Owen, I love you. Will you be my boyfriend? And when we graduate, let’s get married.”

Owen nodded hard, his voice thick with tears. “Yes, I will!”

A deafening cheer and whistle erupted from the crowd. Owen hugged Sloan ecstatically, and as he looked up, he saw me standing outside the circle.

He immediately grabbed Sloan’s hand and ran toward me.

“Ash! Did you see that! Sloan, she… she proposed to me!”

He was incoherent with excitement, pulling me into a massive, exuberant hug.

“Ash, I’m so happy!”

“You too, you absolutely have to find your own happiness. Find someone who loves you.”

I silently hugged him back and nodded. “I will. We all will be happy.”

But when Sloan heard that last line, her expression suddenly darkened. Owen, who was still holding my arm, tightened his grip. But when I looked at him, his smile was as sweet and joyful as ever, as if nothing had happened.

The air between the three of us became heavy, awkward.

After the party, Sloan drove us both back to campus in her Rolls-Royce. At the dorm entrance, Owen unbuckled his seatbelt and kissed her cheek.

“Sloan, I’m heading up now. Drive safe.”

Her expression softened for a fleeting moment, and she nodded.

I yanked my door open and jumped out, desperate to escape her presence.

Owen stood on the curb, smiling as he waved to Sloan’s car. Only when the taillights of the Rolls-Royce Ghost disappeared into the night did he suddenly call my name.

Under the cold glow of the streetlamp, he looked at me, the sweetness gone from his voice.

“Asher Reed. You love Sloan too, don’t you?”