Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 297

Connie's POV

I paced back and forth in the kitchen, my heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. The rhythmic sound did little to soothe the storm brewing inside me. My mind raced, thoughts tangled like a web I couldn't escape. What if they found out? What if Kane and Knox learned the truth about what happened all those years ago? Worse yet, what if Chase did?

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. The mere idea of their judgement made my stomach twist. They might understand—or at least have pity on me—if they knew it wasn't just me involved back then. Lilly, their own sister, had been right there with me. We were both mean to Kara, but it wasn't supposed to go as far as it did.

The memories flooded back, unbidden and unwelcome. I saw myself at Meadow Summer Camp, a carefree girl with a wicked streak. Kara was the quiet one, always with her nose in a book, the perfect target. Lilly and I took pleasure in teasing her—hiding her things, mocking her clothes, tripping her in the dining hall. Childish pranks, or so we thought.

But that day by the lake... it spiralled out of control. We cornered her on the dock, taunting her about some silly necklace she always wore. Lilly grabbed it, and in the scuffle, Kara lost her footing. She fell, her face striking the jagged edge of the wooden plank. The sickening crack still echoed in my ears. Blood pooled rapidly, staining the water crimson as she screamed in agony.

We panicked and ran, leaving her there. Later, when Adam arrived at camp, his face was a mask of controlled fury. He demanded to know who had hurt his daughter, his eyes scanning each of us with a ferocity that made my blood run cold. No one came forward. That summer had been unexpectedly cold, prompting them to spread salt and grit on the walkway. The salt seared Kara's skin, forever marking her as a hideous creature.

So when Adam stood furiously addressing us, I fully expected Kara to point fingers, to expose us. But she didn't. She remained silent, her once beautiful face marred by a jagged scar that would never let her forget—or forgive.

At least, that's what I thought. What if she had told him? What if Adam knew all along and was just biding his time? Now he had confronted me, and the fear that Kane and Knox would discover the truth gnawed at me.

But if I was honest with myself, it wasn't just them I was worried about. It was Chase. The thought of his piercing eyes filled with disgust made my chest tighten. Phina, my wolf, snarled within me.

"Why should we care what Chase thinks?" she spat. "He treated us like we were nothing. Rejected us."

"Because..." I hesitated, unsure of my own reasoning. "Because he's different. He sees me."

"Sees you? He abandoned you the moment things got complicated," Phina retorted. "And yet here you are, pining after him like a lost pup."

"Enough!" I snapped aloud, slamming my hand down on the countertop. The sharp pain grounded me. "I won't be lectured by you."

Phina fell silent, but I could feel her simmering anger, a mirror of my own. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Why did Chase matter so much? Did I like him? The idea unsettled me. I shouldn't. Not after the way he treated me.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the back door opening. I spun around to see Kane entering, stark naked and radiating fury. His muscles tensed with each step, droplets of sweat glistening on his skin. Normally, the sight would have ignited a spark of desire. His chiselled physique was something to admire—the sharp lines of his jaw, the way his dark hair clung to his damp forehead.

But as he brushed past me without a word, heading straight for his room and the shower, I felt a surge of irritation. Who did he think he was, ignoring me like that?

"He's impressive, isn't he?" Phina mused, though her tone was distant.

"Of course he is," I replied internally, watching him disappear into the bathroom. "But he could show a little respect."

"Not as impressive as Chase," she whispered slyly, doing her best Jekyll and Hyde routine.

"Why do you keep bringing him up?" I scowled.