The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0529

"Ben!" I object, turning to glare at him, kind of not believing that he's pushing Daphne to face her feelings for Rafe so bluntly.

"I mean, it's true," Ben says, turning to me.

"Daphne is allowed to make her own decisions on her own time!"

"Agreed," Ben says, nodding and looking between us. "Until...well, until it gets unfair to Rafe. I mean, he's...he's pretty gone on you, Daphne. And trying really, really hard to be your boyfriend. If you don't want that..." He pauses, and shrugs.

Daphne takes a deep breath and lets it out, heavy. "I have to tell him."

"Daphne," I say, my heart breaking a little for her, shaking my head. "Don't let Ben push you into things if you're not ready -"

"No, he's right," she says, straightening her shoulders. "I'm...I'm just being a coward. And cruel. Rafe has been so good to me and...I have to be fair."

"Okay," Ben says, nodding.

We're all quiet again for a long moment as my mouth pops open - as I realize that...what started out as a chocolate run has ended up in a plan to dump by brother.

chickens," Daphne says, quickly raising her glass to her mouth and emptying

to her hand. "Is this...is

I'm determined and courageous enough to do it? I think it has to. Now that I know in my heart that I don't feel the same way about him...dragging it out would just be cruel." I stare at her for a second before looking down at my

raise it to my lips and drain it, thinking

hand on his heart and looking

a sigh, tugging at her shirt so that it

say, standing and

the little table,

drains his own glass

us head out of her

different mood than when we left. I

the room, my family and my

frowning as he peers at all of our

the room as I stand with Daphne at the door, her hand still tight in mine. As Ben sits on the couch I look at Rafe to find his eyes already on us, a frown on his lips, sensing that the mood has...shifted. "Um, Rafe?" Daphne says, her voice shaking a little bit. She gestures hesitantly towards the door. "Do you think

book and Jackson, I notice, is

crossing the room to us.

my head, a little scared to say anything, and give Daphne's hand one final squeeze before starting across the room. My heart aches, suddenly, my allegiances torn