Page 105 of Before We Were

My stomach drops when I see Connor walk through the door.

He approaches with that entitled swagger, wearing what he probably thinks is a sincere expression.

“Nora, listen, uh, about the other night. I was just..."

I stare him down, his half-baked apology hanging stale in the air. "You were just what, Connor?"

His face hardens. "Jesus, I'm trying to be nice here. You don't have to be such a bitch about it."

“Just leave me alone," I cut him off, ice in my voice.

The door chimes again, and my heart plummets further. Evan. His eyes lock onto mine immediately, that predatory smirk spreading across his face. My skin crawls—he can smell fear like a shark smells blood.

"Well, look who it is," he drawls. "Where's the bloodhound? Your pet not around to keep an eye on you today, huh?"

I clench my jaw, but before I can respond, his hand brushes my cheek.

The moment his fingers make contact, my stomach lurches violently. A wave of nausea hits me so hard I can taste bile rising in my throat. My skin crawls, like thousands of icy spiders racing beneath the surface. My lungs seize, breath caught somewhere between inhale and scream.

"Come on, Nora, why the cold shoulder? We got pretty friendly last summer, didn't we? Thought we were past this whole 'I don't know you' act."

Connor's eyebrows shoot up as realization dawns. "So that's why you weren't interested," he sneers. "You already fucked my cousin?"

It’s no wonder they’re related—poison runs in families.

Reality fractures around me, the ground beneath my feet suddenly unstable. My pulse hammers in my ears, drowning out everything except the sickening memory his touch drags to the surface. Before I can defend myself, shame burns up my neck like acid, tears threatening to spill. The humiliation, the fear—it's as fresh as yesterday. I want to run, but I'm frozen in place, my body locked in a horrifying replay I can't escape.

Then, like an avenging angel, Camilla's voice cuts through the toxic air.

"You know what we need that only you two can provide right now?" She storms over with Mia close behind, both radiating protective fury.

"Your absence," Camilla snaps. "Now get lost, both of you."

Connor scoffs, his smug grin faltering. "What's your problem, Camilla?"

"Isn't it clear?" Her eyebrow arches perfectly. "You. You're my problem." She dismisses him with a flick of her wrist.

Evan snickers, nudging Connor. "The chicks in this town are fucking insane."

Camilla's head snaps to him. "I'm sorry, but you are?" Her expression is perfectly deadpan.

"I'm—"

"Oh, that's cute. You thought I actually wanted to know." She waves him off like an annoying fly, turning back to Connor. “Did Daddy dearest not teach you how to follow orders, or do you just have a problem with your hearing because your head is shoved so far up your ass?"

Connor's smirk deepens. "I don't take orders from women like you."

"Oh, Connor. You've had your entire life to be a pretentious dick. Don't you ever get tired? Maybe take a day off once in a while, yeah?"

"No rest for the wicked, sweetheart.” He winks, making my stomach revolt.

Camilla's eyes narrow to slits. "Well, if ignorance is bliss, then you must be the happiest person on the planet."

Connor's confidence cracks, but Evan steps forward, sneering. "You remind me of a little chihuahua. All bark and no bite. Maybe someone ought to put a leash on you, teach you some obedience."

Camilla's death-glare could freeze hell. "Oh, Abercrombie," she purrs, voice arctic, "you really don't want to see me bite."

Evan leans in, biting his lip in what he clearly thinks is seductive. "Actually, I think I'd quite enjoy that."

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