By Monday morning, the campus was buzzing. Liora noticed it the second she walked through the gates—clusters of students leaning together, whispering behind hands, throwing sidelong glances that lingered just a bit too long.
She shifted her bag on her shoulder, unease crawling up her spine. Something was wrong.
It wasn't until she stepped into the lecture hall that she heard it clearly.
"Did you hear about Ethan?"
"Yeah, apparently he only got into this program because his dad donated to the university."
"No wonder he's always hanging around Liora. Guess money buys everything, huh?"
Liora froze. The words hit like stones, cruel and eager. Her gaze darted toward Ethan, who had just walked in. He kept his expression calm, even bored, but she could see the tension in the tight set of his jaw.
Adrian sat two rows back, lounging like a king watching his court. His lips curled into the faintest smile when his eyes met hers.
He did this.
Liora's hands clenched at her sides. He had found a way to drag Ethan into his games, smearing his reputation with one perfectly placed rumor.
And it was working. Students avoided Ethan like he carried a disease. A few even laughed outright when he tried to answer a question. The professor gave a disapproving glance, clearly swayed by the sudden wave of gossip.
The worst part? Ethan didn't defend himself. He sat through it, shoulders squared, eyes forward, as if nothing could touch him.
But Liora could see it. The way his grip on his pen was too tight. The way he didn't smile at her like he usually did.
It made something twist painfully in her chest.
During the break, she cornered him in the hallway. "Ethan—"
He shook his head before she could speak. "Don't. It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does!" She grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. "They're lying about you, and everyone believes it. Aren't you going to say something?"
His dark eyes softened, even through the frustration. "Liora… I don't care what they think. What matters is what I know. What you know."
Her breath caught. She hadn't expected him to say that, and the warmth in his voice steadied something inside her.
But the moment shattered when a voice drawled from behind them.
"Well, isn't this touching."
Adrian.
He leaned lazily against the lockers, watching them with infuriating calm. "Careful, Ethan. People might start to think you're using her to distract from your… privileges."
Liora spun, anger flaring. "Stop it! You're the one spreading this trash, aren't you?"
Adrian's smile was smooth, dangerous. "Accusations are ugly, Liora. Especially when you don't have proof."
Her heart pounded. She wanted to scream, to claw that smirk off his face. But Ethan's hand on her wrist pulled her back.
"Leave it," Ethan said quietly. "That's what he wants."
Adrian's eyes flickered at the way Ethan touched her, at how close they stood. For a second, his mask slipped—something sharp and possessive flashing in his gaze.
But then it was gone. He pushed off the lockers, straightening. "Enjoy your little fairytale while it lasts," he murmured. "The truth always wins in the end."
As he walked away, Liora realized something chilling.
Adrian wasn't just playing anymore.
He was declaring war.