Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0297

Connie's POV

I paced back and forth in the kitchen, my heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. The rhythmic sound did little to soothe the storm brewing inside me. My mind raced, thoughts tangled like a web I couldn't escape. What if they found out? What if Kane and Knox learned

the truth about what happened all those years ago? Worse yet, what if Chase did?

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. The mere idea of their judgement made my stomach twist. They might understand-or at least have pity on me if they knew it wasn't just me involved back then. Lilly, their own sister, had been right there with me. We were both mean to Kara, but it wasn't supposed to go as far as it did.

The memories flooded back, unbidden and unwelcome. I saw myself at Meadow Summer Camp, a carefree girl with a wicked streak. Kara was the quiet one, always with her nose in a book, the perfect target. Lilly and I took pleasure in teasing her-hiding her things, mocking her clothes, tripping her in the dining hall. Childish pranks, or so we thought.

But that day by the lake... it spiralled out of control. We cornered her on the dock, taunting her about some silly necklace she always wore. Lilly grabbed it, and in the scuffle, Kara lost her footing. She fell, her face striking the jagged edge of the wooden plank. The sickening crack still echoed in my ears. Blood pooled rapidly, staining the water crimson as she screamed in agony.

We panicked and ran, leaving her there. Later, when Adam arrived at camp, his face was a mask of controlled fury. He demanded to know who had hurt his daughter, his eyes scanning each of us with a ferocity that made my blood run cold. No one came forward. That summer had been unexpectedly cold, prompting them to spread salt and grit on the walkway. The salt seared Kara's skin, forever marking her as a hideous creature.

So when Adam stood furiously addressing us, I fully expected Kara to point fingers, to expose us. But she didn't. She remained silent, her once beautiful face marred by a jagged scar that would never let her forget-or forgive.

At least, that's what I thought. What if she had told him? What if Adam knew all along and was just biding his time? Now he had confronted me, and the fear that Kane and Knox would discover the truth gnawed at me.

But if I was honest with myself, it wasn't just them I was worried about. It was Chase. The thought of his piercing eyes filled with disgust made my chest tighten. Phina, my wolf, snarled within me.

"Why should we care what Chase thinks?" she spat. "He treated us like we were nothing. Rejected us."

I hesitated, unsure of my own reasoning. "Because he's

you the moment things got complicated," Phina retorted. "And yet here

snapped aloud, slamming my hand down on the countertop. The sharp pain grounded me. "I won't be

my own. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Why did Chase matter

droplets of sweat glistening on his

as he brushed past me without a word, heading straight for his room and the shower, I felt a surge of irritation. Who did he

isn't he?" Phina mused,

internally, watching him disappear into the bathroom. "But he

as impressive as Chase," she whispered slyly, doing her

keep bringing

him," Phina teased. "Even now,

my teeth,

the truth

off the unwanted thoughts, followed Kane to the bathroom, leaning against the doorway as he stepped under the

to my

my arms and pressing my thighs together in a futile attempt to quell the restless energy coursing through me. "Leave," he replied curtly, not bothering to look at me. He turned up the radio, the music drowning out any possibility of conversation. The blatant

the radio off the shelf. With a satisfied smirk, I hurled it across the

hated that song," Kane remarked nonchalantly, rinsing the soap from his

brushed past me again, water dripping onto the floorboards. He moved with a

form, highlighting every contour. Normally, I loved a man in a suit-it exuded power and control. But today,