Chapter 86 *
Angelina’s POV
Caelan didn’t answer right away. He just looked at me with those ice-blue eyes, completely calm. Then he tapped something on my phone
screen.
“Adding myself as a contact.”
1 blinked.
That wasn’t what I expected him to say.
Caelan’s face showed no emotion. No explanation. He just pulled out his own phone from his pocket and opened whatever social media app he’d accessed on mine.
I watched him type in his information and send himself a friend request.
A second later, his phone buzzed. He accepted the request without looking up.
The whole thing took maybe thirty seconds.
Then he handed my phone back to me.
I took it, still processing what just happened.
Why would Caelan suddenly want to add me on social media?
My eyes flicked to his phone screen as he adjusted something.
His contacts list was completely empty except for one name.
Mine.
Just me. No one else.
That was… weird.
I glanced back at my own phone. The friend request had gone through. Caelan’s profile picture was blank-just a default gray silhouette. No
posts. No photos. Nothing.
I was about to lock my phone when I caught something in my peripheral vision.
2
Caelan was sorting his contacts into folders.
He’d just moved my name into a category labeled “Family.”
My breath caught.
Family?
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Chapter 86 *
I remembered our conversation from a few days ago. When I’d asked him why he came to the Sterling house.
His answer: “For you.”
I knew what that meant. Or at least, I could guess.
And now he’d just put me in his “Family” contacts folder.
The implication was clear.
I looked up.
Caelan’s sharp blue eyes were locked on mine. Intense. Unreadable. Waiting.
He wasn’t saying anything, but I knew what he was waiting for.
He wanted to see where I’d put him in my contacts.
I held his gaze for a second. Then I looked back down at my phone.
I didn’t hesitate.
I opened my contacts, found his name, and dragged it into my “Friends” folder.
That’s my answer.
Whatever Caelan thinks about me, whatever feelings he might have, I’m not interested.
I’d lived one life already. Died once. Been reborn into this body. I didn’t come back to fall in love or get tangled up in some Alpha’s complicated
world.
I came back to live freely. To enjoy this second chance without the weight of my past life crushing me.
Love wasn’t part of that plan.
And Caelan Thorne was dangerous. An Alpha like him didn’t do anything halfway. Getting involved with him would pull me into a world I’d
worked hard to leave behind.
The only reason I put him in “Friends” instead of leaving him unsorted was simple.
E
I don’t want him as an enemy.
Caelan was powerful. Ruthless when necessary. Making an enemy of him would be stupid. But keeping him at a friendly distance? That was
manageable.
I raised my eyes to meet his again.
His expression hadn’t changed. Still cold. Still unreadable.
But there was no anger. No disappointment.
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Tue,
Chapter 86 *
He just stood there, calm as ever, like my decision didn’t bother him at all
He’s not the petty type.
That much was obvious.
I stood up from the armchair without saying a word.
Then I turned and walked toward the stairs, heading up to my room.
Three weeks had passed since Spirit Week. Thanksgiving break was just around the corner.
Tomorrow I’d be carrying out Victor Wu’s assignment. Protecting his son. be gone for a few days.
I still hadn’t figured out how to explain it to my family.
The school bus dropped me off at the usual corner. I walked the three blocks home, my backpack slung over one shoulder. November in California meant the sun set earlier now-the sky was already turning that deep purple-orange color.
When I rounded onto our street, I spotted Leo sitting on the porch.
He had a beer in one hand, feet kicked up on the railing. When he saw me coming, he raised his free hand in a lazy wave.
“Hey, sis.”
I walked up the porch steps. “You’re home early.”
‘Got off work at four today. Figured I’d enjoy the weather before it gets dark.” He took a sip of his beer. “How was school?”
“Fine.”
I pushed open the front door and dropped my backpack just inside. Before could head upstairs, Leo called out.
“Aria, come sit with me for a bit.”
I turned back. Leo patted the empty chair next to him.
I walked back out and sat down. The evening air was cool but not cold. Across the street, Mrs. Maddox was watering her lawn. A few houses down, some kids were playing basketball in their driveway.
Normal suburban life.
“Want a drink?” Leo asked.
“I’m fifteen.”
“So? I started drinking at fourteen.” He grinned. “Just offering.”
“I’m good.”
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