The Stables and Training Grounds were alive with the usual sounds of horses neighing and students chatting, but as Selene stepped into the open space, an unnatural silence settled over her group of friends. They had been waiting for her, their eyes flickering with unspoken worry the moment they saw her face.
Eric was the first to speak, his sharp gaze scanning her expression. "Selene, are you alright?" His voice was low, careful. "Did he--" He hesitated, then pressed, "Did Keith do anything to hurt you?"
Lucian, standing beside him, folded his arms tightly. "Did he manhandle you?"
Astrid and Camille exchanged worried glances, while Dorian frowned, observing Selene closely. Even Cedric, usually the one to make light of situations, said nothing—his golden-brown eyes locked onto her face, reading the exhaustion that clung to her like a second skin.
Arabella took a step forward, her emerald-green eyes flashing with concern. "Selene, please, tell us what happened."
Selene swallowed, forcing a faint smile to her lips, though it was weak and barely convincing. "I'm fine," she murmured. "Keith didn't hurt me."
Arabella's eyes narrowed in disbelief, but Selene continued before anyone could protest. "I'm just… tired." She exhaled, pressing a hand to her temple. "I think I'll head back to my chambers. I won't be joining you all for dinner,I don't have much of an appetite."
The silence that followed was thick, heavy with unspoken words. They watched her, their worry deepening as they took in the way her shoulders drooped, the dullness in her violet eyes. She looked drained, like someone had stolen the fire from within her.
Arabella instinctively moved to follow, but before she could take another step, Eric reached out and caught her wrist.
"Let her go," he said quietly. His expression was unreadable, but his voice carried the weight of understanding. "She needs space."
Arabella clenched her jaw, her frustration clear, but she didn't argue. Even so, she couldn't shake the tight feeling in her chest as she watched Selene disappear into the distance.
---
The moment Selene reached her chambers, she collapsed onto her bed.
At first, she lay still, staring blankly at the ceiling, but then the emotions she had been suppressing surged to the surface, and the tears came, hot and unstoppable.
Her hands curled into the sheets as she wept, her body trembling from the force of it.
How could Keith think so little of her?
The words he had spat at her echoed in her mind, sharp and merciless. Loose. No self-respect. Throwing herself at any man.
She had done nothing to deserve those accusations.
In both lives, she had never given her heart to another man. In the past, she had loved Keith so much, too much. She had ruined herself, her family, everything, just to chase after a love that had never been meant for her.
And in this life?
She had let him go. She had made peace with the fact that he would never love her. She had chosen to step aside, to watch him be happy with someone else.
She had even accepted a future where, after their inevitable marriage and eventual divorce, she would spend the rest of her life alone, never allowing herself to love again.
And yet…
Yet, for all her restraint, for all the ways she had tried to fade into the background, he still found a way to wound her.
Her chest ached, her sobs coming softer now, weaker. Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into a restless sleep, her face still damp with tears.
---
When Arabella entered the room later that evening, she paused at the sight before her.
Selene lay curled on the bed, her face peaceful in sleep, but the tear tracks on her cheeks hadn't faded. The sight made something in Arabella's heart squeeze painfully.
She moved closer, lowering herself onto the bed beside her friend. Gently, she reached out, running her fingers through Selene's long, dark hair.
Please, she prayed silently. "Please let her be alright."
The sound of the door creaking open drew her attention.
Evangeline stepped inside, her usual grace intact, but the expression on her face was anything but soft. She looked bitter, as if the very sight of Selene sleeping in that bed was an offense.
Her soft violet eyes flicked to Arabella, then to Selene. Seeing Arabella sitting so protectively beside her, she scoffed under her breath. "Really?" she muttered, rolling her eyes.
Arabella ignored her, her fingers still gently stroking Selene's hair.
Evangeline clicked her tongue, kissing her teeth in irritation. There was no sympathy in her gaze,only resentment.
Because no matter how much Selene suffered, no matter how much pain she endured, one truth remained:
She was still the one destined to marry the man Evangeline loved.