The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 367

Liora’s POV

The gossip lasted the better part of a week.

It followed me everywhere, often embellished to the point of absurdity. In the cafeteria, I heard whispers about how I had broken down and dropped the tray, shattering everything against the floor. In class, I heard people saying that I had slapped Callum. In the locker room, some even said that Bianca and I had gotten into a physical catfight.

I didn’t bother correcting any of it. I just stayed out of it and spent most of my free time in the library, tucked into a corner where I was unlikely to be spotted.

I got a lot of reading done that week. More than I had all semester. It was almost impressive.

Mia left me alone for the first couple of days, which I appreciated. She brought me food sometimes, setting it down without saying anything, and occasionally sat with me in silence while she did her own homework.

Zane, predictably, was less patient.

By Thursday, he had found my secret spot in the library and dropped himself into the chair across from me with absolutely zero invitation, propping his feet up on the edge of the table.

“You look terrible,” he said.

“Gee. Thanks.” I didn’t look up from my book.

“How long are you planning on hiding in here?”

“Indefinitely.”

He picked up my pen and started clicking it. I reached over and took it back without looking at him.

“There’s a party Saturday night,” he said. “Off campus. Some third-year’s house.”

“No.”

“You didn’t even think about it.”

“I don’t need to think about it.” I turned a page. “I’m not going to a party, Zane.”

He was quiet for a moment. I thought, briefly, that he might actually let it go. Then Mia appeared from around the bookshelf and sat down in the other chair, and I knew the moment I looked up at them and saw their faces that I was being cornered.

Mia clasped her hands on the table and looked at me. “We’re worried about you, Liora.”

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