Page 70 of Lessons in Touch

"Shut up, Liam!" But her composure is cracking. "You don't understand what's at stake here."

"I understand perfectly." I step back into the room. "You wanted to destroy my relationship because you're jealous. Because you can't stand that he chose me over you."

"He didn't choose you!" The words explode out of her. "He was manipulated by you! You seduced him!"

"Is that what you really think?" I almost feel sorry for her. "That the only way someone could prefer me over you is if I tricked them?"

Her face twists with rage and humiliation. Several students are now openly staring, some recording with their phones. Cassandra notices and realizes she's losing control of the situation.

"This isn't over," she hisses.

"Yes, it is. Delete the video, Cassandra. All copies. Or find out exactly how much evidence I have about your extracurricular activities."

She stares at me for a long moment, fury radiating from every line of her body. Then she grabs her purse and storms toward the door.

"Delete it, Liam," she snaps as she passes him. "All of it."

The door slams behind her. Liam looks at me with something that might be respect.

"I'm sorry," he says quietly. "I never wanted it to go this far."

"Then why did you film it in the first place?"

He looks down at his hands. "Because I was jealous. Because I asked you out and you said ‘no,’ and then I saw you with him." He shakes his head. "It was stupid and petty, and I'm sorry."

I study his face. He looks genuinely ashamed. "Delete everything, Liam. Every copy."

"I will. I promise."

I nod and turn to leave. As I reach the door, he calls after me.

"Rose? For what it's worth, I think he's lucky to have you."

I don't respond, but I feel a surge of triumph as I walk away. I did it. I faced down Cassandra and won. I protected Gabriel and our relationship. Everything he taught me aboutconfidence, about knowing my worth, about standing up for myself—it all came together in that moment.

I practically run through the corridors, eager to find Gabriel and tell him the danger has passed. We can be together now. We might have to lie low until I graduate, but Cassandra can't hurt us anymore.

Happily, I take the stairs two at a time to his apartment. His door is unlocked, and I push it open, already forming the words I want to say.

"Gabriel, you're not going to believe what just happened!!"

But the words die in my throat.

He's standing next to his bed with his back to me. A suitcase lies open on the mattress, half full of neatly folded clothes. Books are stacked in boxes on the floor. His expression when he turns to face me is somber and resigned.

I freeze in the doorway, my triumph evaporating.

"What are you doing?"

Chapter 24

Gabriel

I fold another shirt and place it carefully in the suitcase. Each piece of clothing feels heavy, like I'm packing away pieces of my life. The apartment that has been my sanctuary for three years suddenly feels hollow.

I’ve written my resignation letter, and it’s now sitting on the desk, already sealed and ready for delivery. Two sentences, clean and simple. Just like the end of my Senate campaign will be when I make the call tomorrow.

The sound of the door opening makes me turn around. Rose is in the doorway, her face flushed and her eyes wide with confusion.