Aiden blinked. “What do you mean, surveillance?” “I never sent out a distress signal. So how did you know I was there?” “A girl called me. Said something happened to you at Midnight Bar and asked me to come save you.” My mind turned a few gears, and it clicked—Ruby. She must’ve figured out Aiden’s identity from the business card I gave her, then contacted the company’s customer service to get the president’s direct line. That’s how she managed to call him. Smart girl. A little warmth bloomed in my chest. The corners of my lips tugged up without me realizing it. “What are you smiling about? You idiot. Ended up walking straight into a freezer trap,” Aiden scolded coldly. I rolled my eyes. “I was being a good citizen, okay? Rescuing a teenage girl from a hellhole, helping a lost soul find her way back to the light—that’s my moral obligation.” “You’re always doing the most,” Aiden muttered, but his lips finally tugged into a smile. I stayed in the hospital to recover. After what happened, things between me and Aiden got a lot more relaxed. He wasn’t so cold anymore, and I stopped picking fights for no reason. But peace never lasts long when Taylor’s involved. “Raelynn, I came to check on you. Hope you don’t mind?” Taylor showed up uninvited. Didn’t expect her to show her face so soon. Too late to dodge her now. “What do you want?” I asked flatly. I didn’t believe for a second that she came out of concern. More likely she wanted to confirm whether I’d frozen to death or not. Seeing how cold I was, Taylor’s eyes filled with tears. “Raelynn, I really just wanted to see how you’re doing. Can you not be so mean to me?” “Taylor, save the act for other people. It’s just us here—don’t waste the effort.”She kept her head down like she didn’t hear me. “Raelynn, I swear I’m not pretending. I just wanted to check on you. I really want us to get along this time, so I…” “What about the snack trap with Madam Salvatore? How do you explain that one?” I didn’t want to dance around the issue. Might as well hit her where it hurts. “That... I don’t know. I just remembered in the restroom that Madam Salvatore shouldn’t eat that stuff. That’s why I reacted like that. But I didn’t mean to blame you, I swear.” Smooth. Almost applause-worthy. Anyone else probably would’ve bought that story. I let out a cold laugh. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing this time, but listen up—don’t mess with me again. I won’t let it slide.” Taylor stayed quiet, but her eyes flashed with something dark. Then, out of nowhere, she raised her hand and slapped herself across the face. Smack! The sound echoed through the room. Even I was startled. “It’s all my fault,” Taylor said, voice trembling. “This is my apology. Raelynn, I came back to fix my reputation. That’s the only reason. Nothing more.” She choked out a sob. “I know Aiden likes you. I wouldn’t dare try to compete.” Watching her spin this new performance, I couldn’t help but smirk. “What, hoping Aiden walks in and sees how I’ve bullied you?” Taylor clutched her face, tears streaking down her cheeks. Picture perfect victim. “No, Raelynn. I’d never think that,” she whispered. She slowly backed out of the room. “I’ll go now. Take care of yourself.” “Don’t see yourself out on my account.” She finally left. I lay back and closed my eyes, ready to get some rest. Didn’t last long. Madam Salvatore walked in—with Taylor right behind her. The Luna of Eclipse Pack looked frantic. “Raelynn, what happened? Did you hit Taylor?”I looked at Taylor, then said coolly, “Madam Salvatore, I didn’t hit her. She hit herself.” “That’s impossible. Why would Taylor slap herself for no reason?” I glanced at the bright red handprint on Taylor’s cheek and had to admire her commitment. Girl really went all in for this performance. “So what then, Madam Salvatore? You think I just smacked her for fun?” That shut her up real quick. Taylor jumped in, seizing the opening. “Madam Salvatore, Raelynn’s not at fault. She just doesn’t like me very much. I did some things in the past that hurt her, and I haven’t earned her forgiveness yet. She’s right to feel this way…” Well played. With that one line, she made me out to be the petty one—holding onto old grudges, lashing out without reason. Madam Salvatore’s expression shifted. Just as expected, she turned to me like I was the one who needed scolding. “Raelynn, I know Taylor’s made mistakes, but she’s not a bad person at heart. She just loved Aiden too much. She even told me she’d give Aiden up to you. She’s trying to make things right—why won’t you let it go?”