The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 329

They all snapped their heads in my direction.

Liora stared at me in shock.

Mia made a little sound of distress.

Zane arched a brow.

I went to turn away. “Well, I should get my bags to my dorm—”

“Something the matter, Callum?”

I looked at Zane. He tilted his head, studying me. I knew that look all too well; it was that cocky, knowing look he always got when he figured something out. It was probably the thing I hated the most about him, because it was a reminder that he wasn’t just a flippant playboy, but actually a lot sharper than he let on.

“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” he asked. “Again?”

My spine went rigid. I didn’t look at her, but I could see Liora’s face turn a frightening shade of white out of the corner of my eyes.

Zane released her and stepped forward. “You know,” he said, dropping his voice, “it’s your indecision that has made this so difficult for you. You can’t be mad at me forever just for swooping in and doing what you were too much of a coward to do yourself.”

“Zane—” Liora started, but he ignored her.

“You had your chance, Callum,” he went on. “And you blew it because you couldn’t come to terms with the fact that your precious princess isn’t the ideal match for you. And now you have the nerve to be jealous over the fact that Liora and I are getting closer? You rejected her, Callum.”

Another growl echoed in me, although this time, it was one of indignation.

“What are you really trying to say, Zane?” I asked.

He tucked his chin and studied me for a moment. Then, his lips curved into a faint smile.

“We both clearly want the same girl. So why don’t we make it a fair fight?” he asked. “You, me, a race. Winner gets Liora’s heart.”

We both stood there for a moment, watching them go. Once they were out of sight, Zane turned to me.

“Callum, you can’t keep going on like this,” he said. The sincerity in his voice took me by surprise. “If I have to go so far as to challenge you just to make you admit you’d rather choose the girl who actually matters, then you need to take a good, hard look in the mirror and ask yourself what the hell you’re doing with your life.”

I didn’t get a chance to respond before he walked away too, his hands in his pockets and his stride completely unhurried.

The guilt returned tenfold once he was gone.

Because he was right.

I had almost accepted that challenge. All because, despite everything, a big part of me still wanted Liora.

But duty always came first in my life.

Although lately, I was beginning to question that decision.