Chapter4 Lydia shut her eyes . She didn't want to look at him anymore . She didn't even want to speak . Chase sensed something was wrong and started to explain , but before he could , his phone buzzed It was Sienna Quinn . He answered , and her shaky , tear - soaked voice spilled through the speaker . " Chase ... what do I do ? I'm stuck near your neighborhood . I can't get a ride home . It's so dark out here , and I'm really scared . ...... .. Chase immediately stood , his tone softening instinctively . " Don't be scared . Just stay where you are , don't move . I'll come get you right now . " He hung up , turned to Lydia , and said quickly , " Sienna can't find a car . I'll drop her home and come right back , okay ? Rest . I'll be here as soon as I can. " Lydia kept her eyes closed , offering no reply . He hesitated for a second , then rushed out . That night , Chase never came back . Instead , Lydia's phone lit up . A new Instagram Story , visible only to Close Friends . A photo of two hands , fingers laced together , dim car light spilling over them . Caption . " That craving for touch flared up again . Felt like I was dying . Thank you to the star athlete for saving me tonight . " Her chest felt as though it had been flayed open , pain so deep it left her numb . She shut the phone off , buried herself in the dark , and let silence devour her . The next morning , Chase showed up again . " Lydia , I'm sorry . I meant to come right back , but the car broke down on the way home . Took forever to fix . Please don't be mad His flimsy lie fell apart with every word , and Lydia felt nothing but a cold , hollow ache . She didn't call him out . She just quietly ate her breakfast . Eager to make amends , Chase leaned in with a forced brightness . " Hey , remember how you said after exams you wanted to check out Eclipse Lounge ? I never took you . Let's go today . Just us . My treat Before she could answer , he was already tugging her out the door . Eclipse Lounge glowed with sleek luxury . Inside the VIP suite , the music was low and smooth , the air carrying a faint tang of polish and wealth . " I know you hate noise , " Chase said , pulling her down beside him . " So I didn't invite anyone else . Just the two of us . " He ordered light fruit cocktails and sodas . A knock came at the door . The server wheeled in a tray of drinks . Chase's brows furrowed the instant he saw who it was . " Sienna ? What the hell are you doing here ? " Wearing the lounge's uniform , Sienna placed the drinks down with a mix of embarrassment and stubborn pride " Not everyone's a trust fund kid . I've got to work this summer - save up for college tuition . " Chapter4 Chase cut in without hesitation . " My family has connections at Northbridge University . I could make a call , get your tuition waived tomorrow . " " No ! " Sienna snapped , shaking her head furiously . " I'll pay my own way . If I don't , when the three of us are at the same college , you'll both just look down on me . " She set the drinks down firmly and started to leave - when her phone rang . She answered . Within seconds , her face crumpled . Tears spilled down her cheeks . Chase shot to his feet . " What happened ? " " My dad ... he was in a car accident , " she sobbed , voice breaking . " The hospital says there's no room for him ... " " Don't panic ! I'll take you there right now . I'll get him a bed - leave that to me . " Chase already had his phone out , ready to make calls . But Sienna grabbed his arm , crying harder . " No ! I've already missed too many shifts this month . If I leave again , my manager will fire me and cut all my pay ! " " I'll cover it , " Chase said quickly . " Double your wages . Don't worry about that . " But Sienna shook her head , trembling . " No , I told you - I have to stand on my own two feet . I won't let anyone support me . " Then , all at once , her tear - bright eyes shifted . Slowly , deliberately , she turned her gaze toward Lydia Rivers . And in that instant , Lydia knew Sienna had thought of something . Chapter4