The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

I felt sick.

pg dn

I opened my Messages app with numb fingers, scrolling back through our conversation history.

The most recent exchange was from two weeks ago.

Lily: Haven’t seen you in forever, miss you! Thinking Cup this weekend?

With three coffee cup emojis and a heart.

I’d added Lily during freshman orientation-she was from Portland too, a fellow Mainer at BU, and we’d bonded over that shared background.

Then we’d run into each other again during my internship last summer. After that, we’d crossed paths regularly on campus. She was always so sweet, so eager to help. As long as it didn’t cross any major boundaries, I’d always been willing to lend her a hand-proofread a paper, share my notes, offer career advice.

Now, staring at those cheerful emojis, I felt sick.

Had it all been an act?

I was about to close the chat when a new message popped up at the bottom of the screen. From Lily.

Lily: Emma, I’m SO SO sorry, I saw your post yesterday, and I feel TERRIBLE. Can we talk? Please?

My hands clenched around the phone so tightly my

Another message appeared.

knuckles went white.

Lily: I know you’re probably mad, but please let me explain. It wasn’t supposed to go this far. I saw you waiting by the back door, and I just took a photo to show my roommate because she didn’t believe me that you knew him. She said it looked photoshopped, and I got defensive and stupid. I just wanted to prove I was telling the truth

Then another.

Lily: I swear I had NO intention to hurt you. I was just being impulsive and immature. I know that doesn’t make it okay, but please, Emma, for old times’ sake, can we meet and talk about this? I’ll do whatever you want to make it right

I felt something cold and hard settle in my chest.

“For old times’ sake.”

What old times? The times she’d used me for homework help? For professional connections? For photo ops to boost her own social media presence?

Another message.

ERIETest规定和ery songge ared you posted on Boos Confessions, Twitter, sand incasgy sm. Every Singte. One

Me. Hun burs you mun did time when you set monton systematically destroying my reputation behind my be

Mes WU) will handle this according to the Student Code of Conduct. My attorney has already sent the cease-and-desist letter. I wi

NOT be dropping

Emma?” Daniel’s voice carried from the entryway. I’m home. I brought Thai food-figured you might want something comforting.

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9:05 am pppp.

The Forbidden Throb