The next day, Riele woke up with a heavy heart. The pressure from her mother, the lies she was feeding Jace—it was all taking a toll. She needed a moment to clear her head, so instead of waiting for Jace near his locker like she usually did, she found herself sitting alone under a tree on the edge of the school grounds, hidden from view.
It wasn't long before she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up, expecting Jace, but it was her friend Anna, who wore an expression of concern.
"Hey, Felix. I noticed you've been a bit off lately," Anna said, sitting down beside her. "Are you okay?"
Riele managed a weak smile. "Yeah, just…family stuff. You know how it is."
Anna chuckled dryly. "I think everyone here knows how complicated family can be. But if you ever need to talk, I'm here. Sometimes it helps to share the load."
Riele was touched by Anna's words. Anna had been one of her few friends who never questioned her odd behavior or the secrecy surrounding her life. For a moment, Riele considered confiding in her. But how could she explain the web of lies, her real name, her mission without risking everything?
"Thanks, Anna," Riele said, trying to keep her voice light. "Maybe one day I'll take you up on that."
Anna squeezed her shoulder, giving her a warm smile. "Whenever you're ready."
As Anna walked away, Riele felt the weight on her shoulders ease just a little. She had allies here, people who cared about her, even if they didn't know the full truth. But that didn't change the danger of her mission or the growing complications in her relationship with Jace.
---
Later in the day, Riele spotted Jace in the hallway. His gaze softened as soon as he saw her, and she felt a pang of guilt. They hadn't talked much since yesterday, and she knew he was still troubled by Marcus's unexpected appearance.
"Hey," Jace greeted, pulling her aside.
"Hey," she replied, trying to hide the tension in her voice.
He studied her face for a moment before speaking. "Are you really okay, Felix? I feel like there's this…distance between us."
Riele's heart clenched. She wanted so badly to tell him everything, to let him know who she truly was, but she couldn't. Not yet.
"Jace, I know it's hard to understand, but there are things I can't explain right now," she said softly. "Just trust me."
He nodded, but there was a hint of hurt in his eyes. "It's just…you mean a lot to me, Felix. And it feels like there's always this wall between us."
Before she could respond, they were interrupted by the arrival of Jace's father, who was standing near the entrance of the hallway, scanning the students with his cold, calculating gaze. Jace stiffened immediately, his face going tense.
"Great," he muttered under his breath. "He's here again."
Riele glanced at Jace's father, feeling a chill run down her spine. She had seen him from afar a few times, but each encounter reminded her of just how dangerous her mission was. His rivalry with her mother ran deep, and if he ever found out who she truly was…
Jace's father's gaze landed on them, and he beckoned Jace over. "Jace, a word."
Jace's jaw clenched, but he nodded, squeezing Riele's hand before walking over to his father. Riele watched, her heart pounding as they exchanged a few words. From the look on Jace's face, it was clear the conversation wasn't pleasant.
Finally, Jace's father glanced her way, his expression unreadable, before turning back to his son. Riele's mind raced with possibilities. Did he suspect something? Or was he simply assessing her as another one of Jace's friends?
Jace returned a few moments later, his face stormy.
"Everything okay?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"Just my father being…well, himself," Jace replied, forcing a smile. "He doesn't like me spending time with anyone outside our family's circle."
Riele felt a pang of empathy. She knew what it was like to be bound by family expectations, to be torn between loyalty and the desire for freedom.
"I get it," she murmured. "Family can be…complicated."
He looked at her, a mix of frustration and longing in his eyes. "Yeah. But sometimes, I wonder if it's worth all the sacrifices they expect."
Riele's heart ached as she nodded. She wanted to tell him that she understood, that she was facing the same struggles. But the secrets between them loomed large, a barrier neither of them could break.
---
That night, as Riele lay in bed, she couldn't shake the memory of Jace's father's intense gaze. Her mother had warned her about him—cold, ruthless, and utterly obsessed with keeping control over his family and his empire. If he discovered her true identity, she had no doubt he'd do whatever it took to eliminate her as a threat.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from her mother: Progress update. No more delays.
Riele's stomach twisted. Her mother was growing impatient, and with Marcus watching her every move, her margin for error was shrinking fast.
But Jace… She couldn't let go of him. Not yet.