The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 191

But even as I thought that, I couldn’t open the door.

Finally, the knocking stopped. I figured Bianca had given up; but a few moments later, I received a text that read: “Fine. If you want to be like that, then be like that. But yesterday was really hard for me, and it’s not fair that you’re doing this to me. I need you right now, and you’re being totally selfish. Don’t bother talking to me until you’re ready to apologize.”

I sighed, tossing my phone aside. Of course she was making this about her and the petty squabble she’d had yesterday. Meanwhile, Bella and Marissa might be in pieces right now.

I wasn’t laying there for long, maybe twenty minutes, when I heard another knock at the door, softer this time. I rubbed my face, thinking that maybe Bianca had come back to say she was sorry, and decided to answer the door.

“Bianca, I’m not trying to be rude, but I just need to be al—”

My words cut off when I saw that it wasn’t Bianca who was standing there, but Liora. She was holding a tray of food.

…

Liora’s POV

“I heard you didn’t eat, so I made you breakfast.” I held the tray out. “I know it’s just a bagel and orange juice, but you should keep your strength up.”

Callum stared at the tray for a long time. I thought he might slam the door in my face. But to my surprise, he gingerly took it, looking a little perturbed.

“Um… Thanks.”

“Can I come in?” I asked.

He hesitated again, then nodded and stepped out of the way, crossing over to his desk to set the food down. I stepped into the room and shut the door behind me.

Callum’s room was cozier than I expected. Warm blankets were thrown across the bed, and a candle was burning in the window. A stack of books sat on his desk, one open and marked with sticky notes. The armchair was unusable because it was piled with clothes.

I didn’t know what to say to that. I had come here to reassure Callum, and yet here he was, reassuring me instead. His kind words were unexpected, to say the least. And left me more flustered than I wanted to admit.

“Well, anyway,” I managed around the sudden lump that had formed in my throat, “I just… I don’t want you to feel bad that you couldn’t catch Bella. You did more than anyone else did, and… I think you deserve to give yourself some grace. So… Please just eat and try to rest. You look exhausted.”

Callum blinked at me like I’d just told him the sky was purple. I turned and opened the door, but he suddenly called out, “Liora. Wait.”

I froze, but I didn’t turn.

“About that brooch,” he said. “I—”

“It’s just a piece of jewelry. It doesn’t matter now, not when students are in danger.”

I left before he could respond.