Chapter 2 Sloane turned to leave "Walt," Jace said. "Take your stuff from upstairs too." He thought she would react like she used to. That she'd be hurt by his words, turn around with tears in her eyes, and ask, "Jace, what do you mean? Then he'd say, "Let's not fight anymore," and it wondd all blow over But Sloane said nothing She just quietly turned around and started collecting every trace of herself from a place she once sanr as her second home. At the entryway, she found the teddy bear slippers Jace had custom-made for her, with her initials stitched on. In the kitchen, she took down the strawberry-print mug that was always reserved for her. On the couch, the light gray fleece blanket she always used was still folded neatly. One by one, she picked up each item and calmly placed it into another empty cardboard box, as if they were nothing more than old, unwanted junk Downstairs, Jace and Marissa had started a new round of their game. During a break, Marissa said she was thirsty. She casually picked up Jace's half-drunk glass of water and took a sip. Jace, who once wouldn't even touch a drink after Sloane had, simply looked over and said nothing. Then Marissa pouted and said she was hungry, craving crispy buns from a restaurant across town. Jace didn't hesitate. He grabbed his car keys and walked right out the door. Sloane watched all of it silently. Yet, strangely, her heart didn't hurt anymore. All that remained was a numb, icy emptiness. She picked up the now-filled box and went upstairs to Jace's room to grab a few more things. As soon as she opened the door, someone blocked her path. It was Marissa. Her expression was smug and challenging. "Still hanging around even after he dumped you?" Sloane didn't want to argue. Her tone was calm. "I'm just getting my things. Then I'm gone." "Gone?" Marissa sneered. "You think playing hard to get will work? He's tired of your drama. You break up with him because you know he'll come running. It's pathetic." Chapter 2 9.09% She stepped closer, voice dripping with venom. "Everything you have-I'm taking it. You copied his college app to follow him, didn't you? Well, I got into Northbridge too. I'm taking him from you. And you'll watch." Sloane didn't respond. She hugged the box and tried to step past her. But Marissa grabbed her arm, her tone growing even more vicious. "What, nothing to say? Did I hit a nerve? God, Sloane, have some self-respect. You're so pathetic when you cling. No wonder Jace finds you annoying. I bet your parents didn't raise you right either-look at what they made-" Smack. A crisp slap cut through the air, silencing her instantly. Sloane had reached her limit. She raised her hand and slapped her, hard. She could endure being wronged, but she would never let anyone insult her parents. Marissa stared at her in shock, one hand on her cheek. Her eyes widened, then burned with fury. She raised her hand, ready to slap back. Just then, the front door opened. Footsteps echoed upstairs. Jace was back. Marissa's eyes lit up with sudden calculation. In one swift motion, she grabbed Sloane's wrist, let out a sharp scream, and pulled her forward. Both girls fell together, tumbling down the stairs. "Aah!" They hit the first floor hard. Sloane felt pain shoot through her entire body. Her forehead slammed into the edge of the stairs, and warm blood immediately began to run down her face. Marissa had taken a rough fall too, but she quickly sat up, clutching her cheek where the slap mark still burned. Tears welled in her eyes as she sobbed, "Jace... she slapped me... then pushed me down the stairs... it hurts so much..." Jace looked at the chaotic scene, and his face turned cold. He rushed over, first checking on Marissa. Then his eyes snapped toward Sloane, who was trying to sit up, her face pale with pain. His voice was like ice. "Sloane, are you insane? This is my house. Who gave you the right to touch my guest?" Sloane gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay upright. She tried to explain. "She insulted my parents. I just Chapter 2 9.09% "Enough," Jace snapped, cutting her off without listening. His eyes were full of disappointment and growing irritation. "I don't want to hear it. Adam, show her out." Adam, the butler, hesitated, but still stepped forward and made a polite gesture toward the door. Sloane watched as Jace turned away without hesitation. He gently helped Marissa onto the couch, opened the first-aid kit, and started treating her wounds-so careful, like she was made of glass. In that moment, it felt like something had been ripped out of Sloane's chest. She remembered the time she scraped her knee during PE class. Jace had panicked, gone pale, and carried her to the infirmary without a second thought, whispering to her the whole way, "Sloane, don't worry, I've got you." Back then, all his tenderness belonged to her. Now, every bit of that care was for someone else. All her words caught in her throat. Her explanations, her pain-none of it mattered anymore. All that remained was cold, silent despair. She said nothing. Covered in bruises, she walked out slowly, step by step. She went to the hospital by herself. The diagnosis was a mild concussion and multiple soft tissue injuries. The doctor advised her to stay overnight for observation. While in the hospital, her phone kept vibrating. It was Marissa. One message after another came through, all filled with taunts-photos and videos of Jace caring for her. He was feeding her soup. Peeling a banana. Taking slow walks with her in the garden. Sloane stared at the screen without any expression. She didn't reply to a single message. Her heart was already dead. Once that happens, no amount of cruelty can hurt you anymore. Chapter 2 9.09%