Back at her mother's mansion, Riele slipped through the hallways, keeping to the shadows as she often did when she needed time alone. The house was alive with activity—her mother's goons guarded each door, while a few of her mother's inner circle whispered amongst themselves, discussing deals and debts owed.
But tonight, Riele wasn't interested in secrets meant for her ears. She moved silently, observing the cold, calculated way her mother's people worked. Each one was loyal, but not out of love. Fear kept them bound to her mother's side, and Riele couldn't shake the feeling that it was only a matter of time before someone betrayed her. The thought made her shudder.
Finally, she reached her room, closing the door behind her and sinking onto the bed. The exhaustion of balancing her double life was getting to her. Each day, she had to be Felix—the boy who was mysterious yet unassuming. But the lines between her mission and her feelings for Jace were beginning to blur.
A knock at her door broke her thoughts. She tensed, quickly adopting a neutral expression before opening the door to find Marcus standing there.
He stepped inside, his face unreadable. "Your mother wants to see you in her study," he said, his voice low. "Something important."
Riele's pulse quickened. Her mother didn't usually summon her this late at night, unless something was wrong. She followed Marcus through the dimly lit hallways, wondering what could be awaiting her.
In the study, her mother sat behind her desk, her gaze steely and composed. But the moment Riele entered, her mother's eyes narrowed, as if searching for a weakness. She gestured for Riele to sit, and Riele obeyed, keeping her own expression guarded.
"Your progress with Jace," her mother began, her voice sharp, "how close have you gotten?"
Riele hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "We've gotten close. I believe he trusts me, but I'm moving slowly to avoid suspicion."
Her mother's gaze bore into her, unrelenting. "Slow is not an option, Riele. We don't have the luxury of time." She leaned forward, her fingers steepled. "I need you to find out everything you can about his family. Their vulnerabilities. And I expect results soon."
Riele swallowed, her heart pounding. "I understand."
"Good." Her mother's tone softened only slightly, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. "You're my daughter. I've trained you to handle this, and I expect you to do it well."
After being dismissed, Riele left the study, her mother's words echoing in her mind. The weight of her mission felt heavier than ever, but as she walked back to her room, she couldn't ignore the flicker of doubt gnawing at her. She was no stranger to the ruthlessness required by her family's world, but the idea of betraying Jace—of tearing down the only person who'd ever made her feel seen—felt impossible to reconcile.
The next day at school, she spotted Jace talking to his friends near the lockers. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up, his eyes locking with hers across the crowded hallway. A small smile played on his lips, and Riele felt her heart skip a beat.
She walked over, hoping to appear casual. "Hey, Jace."
"Felix." He greeted her with that easygoing charm she had grown to adore. "I was just telling the guys about this weekend's event. Thought you might want to come."
"Event?" She tried to keep her curiosity in check, but her pulse quickened at the thought of spending time with him outside school.
"Yeah, my family's hosting a charity gala." Jace's tone was light, but his gaze held a hint of something deeper. "It's mostly boring adults and speeches, but... I thought maybe you'd keep me company."
Riele hesitated, weighing the risks. Attending a gala hosted by his family was dangerous territory. Yet, the prospect of seeing Jace outside school, of getting closer to his world, tugged at her. It was the perfect opportunity to learn more about his family's dynamics.
"Sure," she finally said, feigning nonchalance. "Sounds... interesting."
Jace's smile widened. "Great. I'll make sure you're on the guest list."
Later that night, Riele sat alone in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She barely recognized the person staring back at her—a girl torn between loyalty and a longing she couldn't ignore. She couldn't shake the feeling that this weekend would be a turning point, one that could either draw her closer to Jace or pull her deeper into her mother's world of deception.
Her hands curled into fists as she imagined the night ahead. For once, she wished she could walk away from the tangled web her mother had woven around her. But in her heart, she knew it was too late. She was bound by duty, and no amount of longing could change that.
As she prepared herself for the weekend, Riele resolved to bury her feelings, to focus on the mission at hand. But deep down, a part of her knew that as long as Jace was involved, she would never truly be able to let go.