Bella sat alone outside the prom venue, the chill of the night wrapping around her bare shoulders like a warning. But she didn't feel cold. She felt alive—sharpened by betrayal.
Kelvin had humiliated her. Not to her face, no—that would have taken courage. Instead, he laughed with his friends about how easily he could get her into bed. As if her feelings were a game. As if she was just a trophy to show off before tossing aside.
He thinks I'm weak.
He has no idea who I really am.
Bella's expression hardened. That soft, innocent girl who nervously asked him to prom? She was gone.
She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't going to confront him in front of everyone like some drama queen. No—Bella would make sure he paid in silence.
She pulled out her phone, opened her notes app, and started typing.
Kelvin: Walks home Mondays, Wednesdays after 8:30
Always takes the back alley behind Harper Street
Parents leave town next weekend
Knife in his glovebox, not on him
She'd been underestimated her whole life. Called "pretty but fragile." Now she would use that—play along, smile sweetly, pretend she hadn't heard a thing.
And then she'd strike.
He wanted to use me?
Good. Let him think he won.
For now, Bella went back inside, her head high and her eyes scanning the crowd like a predator in a ballroom of prey. Kelvin met her gaze, flashing his charming, stupid grin.
She smiled back.
The countdown had begun.
---