Chapter 15 Rumors wrapped around Sloane like vines-quiet but persistent. She tried her best to shut them out, throwing herself into dance. But some things can't be avoided forever. One noisy afternoon in the dining hall, Sloane had just sat down with her roommates when a sharp female voice cut through the crowd. "Sloane! You're such a fake!" Every head turned. Marissa stood in the middle of the cafeteria, perfectly made-up, her face twisted with open resentment and disdain. She stormed straight to Sloane's table, her finger nearly jabbing into her face. "You couldn't keep Jace, so you just disappear? Playing the victim, acting all noble-hiding out here like some wounded bird, thinking it'll make him miss you?" Her voice was shrill, every word laced with venom. "Is this your only move? You're the one who broke up with him! You must be loving this-him chasing you down here. Admit it!" Her voice was shrill, every word dripping with poison. Sloane's fingers tightened around her fork, knuckles turning pale, but her expression didn't change. Whispers started rippling through the hall. Curious, judgmental, speculative eyes turned toward her. Seeing she wasn't responding, Marissa's voice rose even higher. "You think we can't see through your little act? Don't waste your time-he's only here because he feels guilty, not because-" "Excuse me." A calm, commanding voice cut her off. Eli had walked over without anyone noticing. He positioned himself subtly in front of Sloane, blocking Marissa's aggressive posture. His tone was as mild as always, but his gaze was steady and firm. "First," he said, his voice clear and measured, "this is a shared space. You're disrupting everyone's meal. Second, your baseless accusations and personal attacks qualify as public harassment. Under university policy, we can insist you stop and leave immediately." He paused, letting his words sink in. His eyes swept over Marissa's twisted face, then turned briefly to a nearby campus security guard who had arrived at the commotion. Eli gave him a small nod. Chapter 15 68.18% no right to judge Sloane or her choices." Security stepped forward. Marissa stared in disbelief at the man who had suddenly come to Sloane's defense, trembling with anger. "Who are you? This is none of your business! Are you another one of her-" "Who I am doesn't matter," Eli replied flatly. "What matters is what's right. Now, please leave." Sloane looked up at Eli's back, and a tight ache rose suddenly in her chest. She forced it down. But just then, someone else pushed through the crowd. Jace Carter. He looked like he'd run all the way there, his expression darker than ever. His eyes swept quickly from the security guards holding back a furious Marissa, to the lowered gaze of Sloane behind Eli, then landed squarely on Eli's protective stance. Shame. Rage. Jealousy. It all boiled in his eyes. "Marissa!" he growled, grabbing her arm with such force she yelped. "What are you doing? Who said you could come here?" "Jace-L..." Marissa's eyes filled with tears as if she'd found a lifeline. "Shut up." His voice was ice. "I've made myself clear. We have nothing to do with each other. My life is not your concern. Get off this campus. Now. And don't come near me-or her-again." He motioned toward Sloane, his tone final. The disgust and ruthlessness in his eyes hit Marissa like a slap. Her face went ghostly pale, her mouth opened but no words came out. She was quietly led away by the security guards, her figure limp and defeated. The storm at the center of the cafeteria slowly dissolved. Jace stood there, chest heaving. He had handled Marissa-cut her off publicly, no less. Chapter 15 68.18% He turned to Sloane. Tried to speak. Tried to explain. To apologize. Beg, if that's what it took. He thought, This time I did the right thing. I stood up for her. I defended her. Everyone around was watching, waiting for Sloane's response. She simply stood. She didn't even look at him. It was as if everything he'd just done-his grand gesture, his pleading silence- had nothing to do with her. She turned to Eli. "Thank you, Eli. Let's go." Jace's outstretched hand froze in midair. Every word he had wanted to say died in his throat. A wave of cold, overwhelming despair crashed into him, crushing the last of his hopeless dreams. Chapter 15 68.18%