Page 60 of Dare To Take

“All the evidence points to you. I’m sorry, Son, but I don’t see how it could be anyone else. Arabella, for obvious reasons, doesn’t want to see you. I promised Elena I’d send you to Edward’s until her daughter goes back to school. She doesn’t want you anywhere near her.”

“Elena believed I didn’t upload the videos.”

“And she regrets that now. She defended you, Eli. Spent days arguing with the school on your behalf, and this is how you thank her?”

“And you have no doubt at all that I’m behind this?”

“You’re my son and I love you dearly, but I’m not blind to your flaws. I know what they call you. How you behave.”

And there it was.

“You’re talking about the nickname they have for me.” My voice is flat.

“People don’t get names like that for no reason.”

“And based on that, you believe I did this.” It wasn’t a question, but he nods.

“What if I say it was me? What if I admit to it?”

“Churchill Bradley is willing to reconsider their decision if you write a letter admitting your guilt, agree to attend therapy sessions once a week, and stay away from Arabella.”

My jaw clenches, and my fingers curl into fists. Fury boils under my skin, but I know nothing of it shows on my face.

The Monster of Churchill Bradley is firmly in the ascendant.

If I don’t go back to school, there’s no way I can find out who the fuck is targeting me.

“Fine. Okay. I did it.”

Chapter 40

Arabella

“We’re here,” Elena cheerfully announces as she drives the car through the gates of Churchill Bradley Academy.

I hunch further down in my seat, while she lowers her window to talk to the security guard before he waves us through. A four-hour drive listening to songs on the radio has done nothing for my anxiety levels.

Eli was sent to his uncle’s place on Christmas Day after he uploaded the photo of me to the school’s social media app. All those lies about how he hadn’t shared the video, only for him to do it again. This time on his own account for all to see.

My heart beats so fast with my hate for Eli that it roars in my ears.

I will never trust him again. Ever. Whatever softness remained toward him shattered the second I saw the photo.

The car travels along the long drive of the sprawling campus, already alive with students arriving back from the Christmas break. I don’t say a word when she finds a parking spot. I don’t move when she cuts the engine.

She swivels in her seat, her smile bright. “Come on, Bella, let’s get your bags out. I’ll help you take them up to your room.”

Toying with the stalk of the red rose I’m holding, I pout. “I still don’t know why you’re making me come back here.”

“Because you need to graduate. I never did, and you’ll thank me for it.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, sure.”

My mother sighs. “Churchill Bradley Academy will open doors to your future. The school is as prestigious as Harvard—”

“When have you ever given a fuck about my future?”

“I don’t want to fight with you, Arabella. Let’s just get your things to your room.” She climbs out of the driver’s side before I can say another word.

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