Chapter 0437

I frowned deeper. Julian was always playing the angles. Would he have put me down to impress Bridget? That didn’t really sound like him.

“He called you… oh, forgive me. A manipulative tramp. A two–faced woman. Someone who only cared about him for his money and power.” 1

Julian would not say that about me. He knew, after all this time, that those things weren’t true. After everything we’d been through together, I struggled to believe he would say those words even in an attempt to win Bridget.

I tried to see through her tears now, but God, she was such a good actress. She truly seemed genuine.

But then, did Julian actually say those things…?

“The worst,” Bridget sniffled. “Oh, Piper, if I could unhear these things I would.”

“It’s alright,” I said.

She nodded. “He said he is only kind to you because he feels so bad for you. A single mother from a lower class. What hope do you have in the competition without his help?”

That one stung, striking straight through my chest like a spear covered in barbed wire.

I didn’t want to believe Julian could say something like that. I wanted to think that our friendship was mutually beneficial to us both. But… I was so far beneath the princes socially, and all I’d seemed to do since my arrival was bring them trouble. 1

Maybe Julian had said that. Maybe he’d meant it.

didn’t know what to

I couldn’t think of what

my own pain and misery, I had one lingering question.

do you mean?” she

you his feelings? Did you

shook her head. “Of course not! It was bad enough to hear those words.

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+15 BONUS

forward and tugged

was untrue, though I supposed I appreciated her sense of girl power and togetherness.

my goodbyes, and hurried back to my room to get dressed. By now,

sideways glance as I came into the room. I gave a subtle headshake. Whatever had just happened,

kissed Elva on the top of her head, wished her good morning, then went into the closet to

for certain: I had

went to his room and knocked

my ear to the door, I

couldn’t help but question Bridget’s story. Any or all of it could be a

But.

of it would not surprise me if they were true, that I reasoned, by that

few early–rising candidates were there, but no Julian.

ballroom,

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