Page 56 of The Revenge

Margaret lets out one of her weird laughs. “Don’t be silly. No one expects you in a uniform right now. It’s—”

“The dress?” I cut her off with fake alarm as I switch my attention to Syn. “Synshine, they don’t like the dress you bought me.”

The pet name for Syn seems to make him glitch as he stares at me, his hand still clutching his dessert fork.

“I believe the issue isn’t the dress, but your hair,” William says.

As though I don’t know what he’s talking about, I reach up and gently pat my hair. With a pout, I let my hand fall heavily into my lap. “But it’s only blue because that’s what my Synshine wanted.” And then I pout at my fiancé.

Margaret sniffs, and then she turns to Juliet, reaching for her hand. “Don’t worry. We know it won’t be an issue on his wedding day.”

“How are you finding the classes at James Keyingham? They can be quite challenging if you’ve not attended the right prep schools,” Mr. Greatson says.

I look at him, unsurprised that he’s directing the question at me. “Are they? I guess I lucked out with my high school because classes are a breeze.”

“Really?”

“That must be a relief to hear. Right, Lola?” Margaret asks her daughter. Instead of waiting for a reply, she looks back to me. “Lola starts there in the fall. Perhaps she can help you if you get stuck. I hear sophomore year can be more difficult.”

I’ve barely paid any attention to the girl next to me, but I’d assumed she was older than a high schooler. I turn to look at her and find her glowering at me. I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve her death glare considering I’m the one being insulted—when has a sophomore ever required help from freshman?

“That’s so lovely of you to offer.” I give Lola a smile before turning my attention to Margaret. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure I’ll be returning to JKU in the spring.”

“Oh?” Juliet looks absolutely aghast as her hand flies to her chest. “This isn’t how you’re choosing to announce you’ve gotten some girl pregnant, is it, Synclair?”

Finally, Syn speaks. “My fiancée is not pregnant, mother. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“You need to consider how you speak to your mother.” Syn’s father has the same warning tone as Syn’s does, but what surprises me is that Syn instantly falls silent and lowers his head slightly.

“No, I’m not pregnant,” I say, lightly.

Juliet’s sigh of relief is audible as she reaches for her wine glass and takes a long drink.

“Then why are you not returning in the spring, if you’re not finding the classes too difficult?” Margaret asks me.

I look up and catch Syn’s eye. They narrow as he gently shakes his head.

“Because I’ve been expelled for sleeping with one of my professors,” I casually tell them.

Juliet promptly sputters, sending red wine showering down on the tablecloth around her before she quickly reaches for her napkin.

“Don’t worry,” I quickly tell them. “I never actuallysleptwith him. It’s—”

“Just a joke.” Syn cuts me off. “My darling Victoria has such a wicked sense of humor.”

XXII

Tori

“Asense of humor, or mental instability?” Lola mutters beside me.

“Lola, what have I told you? It doesn’t matter what type of person you have to interact with so long as you don’t allow them to drag you down to their class,” her mother chides.

“Look at her neck. She’s clearly got problems!” Before I can respond, Lola turns to Syn. “You promised that you’d wait for me. Why did you give this girl the ring meant for me?”

Syn’s eyes are locked on mine. “That ring was meant for Victoria.”

Considering it had been my intention to push his buttons and find a way to get back at him by driving this conversation, I’m not upset that the mark around my neck has been brought up. Honestly, I’d already planned a response that made sure to imply it was there because Syn wanted to keep a tight leash on his future wife since he has a sexual asphyxiation kink.

---