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“No,” I whisper, more to myself than to him. “No, this can’t be right.”

“I’m sorry, son. I know it’s hard to accept, but you needed to see it for yourself.”

I crumple the paper in my fist, anger, and betrayal coursing through me. How could she do this? After everything we’ve shared, everything I thought we had…

“She lied to me. She fucking lied to me.”

He nods, lips in a tight line. “I warned you, didn’t I? The Edmunds can’t be trusted.”

I rake a hand through my hair, my mind reeling. All this time, I thought we were building something real. Something that could last. But it was all a game to her.

A sick, twisted game of revenge.

“I’m such a fucking idiot.” I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. “I actually believed she loved me.”

“You’re not an idiot, and you will prove that. Graduation is around the corner. It’s time to take your place in the company, as you were always meant to do.”

I crush the papers in my fist, vision blurring. So this is how little I meant to her. Nausea churns my gut. I need a fucking drink. Or ten.

Lil engaged to Jason?

It can’t be true. It just can’t.

I push past my dad, heading for the door. “I need some air.”

“Sebastian, wait.” He grabs my arm, but I yank it away.

“Don’t.” I level him with a glare. “Give me one week, and I’ll take my place.”

“Good. We’ll destroy them.”

I storm out. The hallway is empty, thank fuck. I can’t deal with anyone right now. My feet carry me to the gym in the basement.

How could she do this to me? After everything we’ve been through?

Every muscle in my body tenses with the need to explode, to release the fury that’s consuming me from the inside out.

I yank out my phone, my fingers hovering over her name. I want to call her and demand an explanation. But what would I even say? ‘Hey, Lil, quick question. Are you engaged to fucking Jason Campbell?’

I text Brandon and Connor.

Sebastian: Gym in 10.

I need to hit something. Hard.

The gym is empty, exactly the way I like it. I wrap my hands, the familiar routine doing little to settle my nerves. My thoughts are a maelstrom, each one crashing into the next with the force of a sledgehammer. “Lilian Edmunds and Jason Campbell.

I imagine Jason’s face on the bag and throw a savage right hook. The bag swings wildly, but I catch it and steady it for another round of punishment. She. Lied. To. Me. Sweat starts to trickle down my chest, my breathing grows ragged, but I don’t stop. I can’t.

A few minutes later, Brandon and Connor show up.

“Dude, what’s going on?” Brandon asks.

I don’t answer and go back to demolishing the punching bag. Each hit fueled by the betrayal coursing through my veins.

“Bash, talk to us,” Connor tries. “Is this about Lil?”

At the mention of her name, I whirl around, my fist connecting with the wall. The drywall gives way with a sickening crunch, and my knuckles burst with an angry red. Pain shoots up my arm, but I welcome it. It’s better than the ache in my chest.

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