Page 77 of Knot Your Romeo

“Actually, yes, I am finished,” I say pleasantly. “Have a wonderful day, both of you.”

I walk away without looking back, but I can hear the beginning of what sounds like a spectacular argument breaking out behind me. Cerise’s voice rises to near-shrieking levels while Romeo’s responses grow increasingly cold and clipped.

Good. It’s about time Romeo stood up to her toxic behavior.

My phone buzzes as I reach the science building, and I smile when I see the message.

Beck: How’s your first day back going, baby girl?

Me: Better than expected. Just had an interesting conversation with your son.

Beck: Should I be worried?

Me: Not about me. But you might want to check on him later. I think he and Cerise are having some relationship difficulties.

Beck: I’ll keep an ear out. Proud of you for holding your head high.

The simple words make warmth bloom in my chest. Proud of me. When was the last time someone said that and meant it?

Me: Thank you. That means everything.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and head toward my first class, feeling lighter than I have in months.

The old Jolie would have been shaking after that confrontation, would have spent the rest of the day analyzing every word and expression, wondering if she’d made things worse for herself.

But Emmie Darling knows exactly who she is and what she’s worth. And she’s done being afraid.

The morning passes in a blur of lectures and note-taking, but I’m aware of the subtle changes in how people react to me. My confidence seems to draw positive attention—classmates who never spoke to me before offer friendly smiles, professors seem more engaged when I take part in discussions, even the barista at the campus coffee shop comments on how radiant I look. It’s like I’ve been broadcasting“ignore me”signals for months, and now that I’ve switched them off, people are actually seeing me for the first time.

When my phone rings during lunch, I'm surprised to see Lottie's name on the screen. We haven't spoken in over a week, not since that strange, interrupted call that left me so worried.

"Lottie!" I answer immediately, finding a secluded corner of the student lounge. "I've been so worried about you. Are you okay?"

"Emmie." Her voice sounds different, like it's tight with fear, but also urgent. "I need to tell you something important. About Blake."

My blood runs cold. "What about Blake?"

"He knows where you are." The words come out in a rush. "Carlos has been tracking my phone calls, monitoring everything. When I called you last week, when we video chatted... Blake saw everything. He knows about the estate, about the Silver family, all of it."

The student lounge suddenly feels too small, too exposed. I press myself further into the corner, lowering my voice. "Lottie, are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Carlos told me last night. He thought it was funny that Blake was so obsessed with finding you." Her voice breaks. "Emmie, I'm so sorry. I led him right to you."

"It's not your fault," I say automatically, but my mind is racing. Blake knows where I am. Blake, who wanted to breed me like livestock, who saw me as nothing more than a profitable womb. "How long has he known?"

"I don't know, but—" She's crying now, soft sobs that make my heart ache. "He's already on his way, Emmie. Carlos was laughing when he told me he left yesterday morning to get you."

Yesterday morning. That means he could already be here, could already be watching, waiting for the right moment to—

"I have to go," I say, panic clawing at my chest. "I have to warn everyone, have to—"

"Be careful," Lottie pleads. "Please, Emmie. Don't let him take you back to that place."

"I won't," I promise, already moving toward the exit. "I'll call you when this is over."

I end the call and immediately dial Jude's number, my hands shaking as I walk quickly across campus toward the parking lot where Mr. Sampson usually waits for me.

"Emmie?" Jude answers on the first ring, immediately picking up on my distress. "What's wrong?"

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