Elena

Chapter 4: Breaking Point

(Elena's POV )

The moment I stepped into Ridgewood Academy that morning, I knew they hadn't forgotten yesterday.

The whispers started immediately.

"Did you see her face when Xavier humiliated her?"

"Poor girl. She looked like she was going to cry."

"She really thought she could talk back to Xavier Knight?"

I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening around the straps of my backpack. Ignore them, Elena. Just get through the day.

But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be that simple.

Xavier Knight wasn't the kind of guy to let things go.

And neither was his group of spoiled, heartless followers.

First Class –

The classroom was buzzing with chatter when I walked in. Students gathered in groups, laughing and gossiping like nothing else in the world mattered.

I kept my head down and made my way to my seat—the one I had claimed yesterday after Xavier's first stunt.

I should've checked the chair first.

Because the second I sat down, I felt it.

Something wet. Sticky. Cold.

I froze.

A low snicker echoed from the back of the class.

I already knew who it was.

Slowly, I stood up, feeling the disgusting wetness cling to my jeans. Soda. Someone had spilled a whole can of soda on my chair before I sat down.

Laughter erupted across the room.

I felt my stomach twist as I turned to see Xavier, lounging in his seat, watching me with that same damn smirk.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?" he drawled, his green eyes glinting with amusement. "Didn't see that coming?"

More laughter. More whispers.

I could feel my face burning. My hands shook at my sides.

"Wow, Xavier," I shot back, forcing my voice to stay even, "you really have a lot of time on your hands, huh? Does bullying girls make you feel like more of a man?"

Silence.

A few students shifted uncomfortably.

Xavier raised an eyebrow, tilting his head. "Oh, sweetheart," he said smoothly, leaning forward on his desk. "If I wanted to make you cry, I'd do a lot worse."

A few of his friends laughed under their breath.

I felt a lump rise in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

"You're pathetic," I spat.

His smirk didn't waver. "And you're beneath me," he shot back easily. "So why don't you do what people like you do best—stay silent and stay out of my way?"

I wanted to scream. I wanted to grab my bag and run.

But instead, I did something stupid.

I grabbed the half-empty soda can off my desk and poured the rest over his expensive designer shoes.

Gasps exploded around the room.

The smirk on Xavier's face vanished.

His jaw ticked. His eyes darkened as he slowly looked down at his ruined shoes—probably worth more than my entire life—then back up at me.

"You," he said, his voice dangerously low, "just made a very stupid mistake, sweetheart."

I lifted my chin, pretending like my heart wasn't hammering in my chest. "Guess we're even now."

Xavier let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, Elena," he murmured, standing up. Too close. Too intimidating. "You have no idea what you just started."

Lunch –

I barely made it through the next two periods before lunch.

I was exhausted. I wanted to disappear, but I needed food.

I kept my head down as I grabbed a tray, determined to avoid any more drama.

I spotted Lena at a table near the back, already waving me over. A rush of relief flooded me—at least I wasn't completely alone here.

But just as I took a step toward her, something cold and sticky hit my chest.

SPLASH.

I gasped.

Chocolate milkshake dripped down my sweater, pooling onto the floor.

Laughter exploded across the cafeteria.

I barely had time to process what happened before a familiar, sickeningly sweet voice rang out.

"Oh my god, Elena!"

I looked up to see Vanessa DeLuca, Ridgewood Academy's queen bee, standing in front of me. Her perfect curls bounced as she clutched an empty milkshake cup, fake shock plastered across her face.

"I am so sorry," she cooed, pressing a hand to her chest. "My hand just slipped! You know how clumsy I am!"

Her group of clones giggled behind her.

I stood there, frozen, my fists clenched at my sides.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to rip that smug look off her face.

But before I could react, another voice cut through the noise.

"Wow, sweetheart," a familiar deep voice drawled. "Two humiliations in one day? You're really setting a record here."

My stomach dropped.

Xavier.

He was leaning against the cafeteria table, watching the scene with a lazy smirk, arms crossed like he was enjoying a damn show.

"Guess this is what happens when people like you try to fit in where they don't belong," he added.

Laughter. More whispers.

I felt my breath hitch. My vision blurred as the burning humiliation threatened to swallow me whole.

I refused to cry.

Not in front of them.

Not in front of him.

I clenched my jaw and lifted my chin.

"At least I don't have to bully people to feel powerful," I shot back. "Must suck knowing you're nothing without Daddy's money."

Silence.

Vanessa's eyes widened. A few students muffled their gasps.

Xavier?

He laughed.

A slow, dark chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Oh, sweetheart," he said, stepping closer, voice dropping just for me. "You're really going to regret that."

I turned and ran.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I shoved past the crowd, out of the cafeteria, down the hall—straight into the nearest bathroom.

The second the door shut behind me, I crumbled.

Tears spilled down my cheeks.

I hated them. I hated Xavier. I hated everything about this stupid school.

I wanted to leave.

I wanted to disappear.

I wanted to never see him again.

But deep down, I knew the truth.

This was just the beginning.

And Xavier Knight?

He wasn't going to stop.

Not until he completely broke me.

After School – Home, Sweet Home

By the time I got home, I was drained.

I barely had the energy to smile at Noah as he worked on his homework in the living room.

"Ellie, what happened?" he asked, eyes narrowing as he saw my stained sweater.

I forced a smile. "Just… a long day."

"A bad day," he corrected, his little fists clenched. "Do I need to fight someone?"

I let out a breathy laugh, ruffling his hair. "You? Fight someone?"

"I may be small, but I'm fast," he said proudly.

I shook my head, exhaustion weighing me down. "Don't worry, Noah. I can handle it."

Even if that was a lie.

Because after today, I wasn't sure how much more I could take.

But one thing was certain—

I hated Xavier Knight.

And I was going to make him pay.

—