CHAPTER 4

Fiona's POV

A voice pulled me from Adrian's presence.

"You can sit here."

I turned, meeting the gaze of the girl who had spoken up for me earlier. She patted the empty seat beside her, cheeks tinged pink—not from shyness toward me, but toward Jake.

Nodding, I slid into the seat, smooth and controlled.

"Thanks for that," I said, voice polite, detached.

She tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, brown eyes flickering between nervousness and curiosity. "It's no problem," she murmured.

Her gaze lingered a second too long.

I recognized the look—hesitant admiration. The attraction to cold confidence, to sharp edges. It wasn't me she was drawn to. It was the illusion. Jack.

"My name's Julie. What's yours?" she asked, voice barely steady.

"Jake." The lie came effortlessly. I extended a hand, every movement calculated.

Julie hesitated, then shook my hand, her smile growing. "Nice to meet you, Jake."

She had no idea who she was talking to.

She better not fall for the face.

---

Later That Evening

By the time I reached my stop, night had settled over the city. The streets hummed with quiet conversations, passing cars, the occasional bark of a stray dog.

I moved swiftly, approaching the small bungalow. There was no familiarity here. This wasn't home. For the mission, I had to live with a fake family.

I felt nothing.

I knocked lightly.

"Who is it?" Felix's voice came from inside.

"It's me—Jake."

The lock clicked, and the door swung open to reveal Felix. His graying hair was neatly combed, his sharp eyes softening slightly when they landed on me.

"Good evening, young boss," he greeted with a respectful nod.

I returned a small nod of my own. "Mm."

His shoulders relaxed, but his observant gaze remained sharp. "Are you hungry?"

There was genuine concern in his voice, but I shook my head. "No, I'm fine."

Brushing past him, I set my bag down, ignoring the weight of his stare.

Felix sighed, eyes heavy with something dangerously close to pity.

He saw the truth—the exhaustion, the burden I carried. But there was nothing he could do.

Because I didn't need saving.

I needed to succeed.

---

Adrian's POV

The class ended in a flash, much to my relief.

Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I strode out, ignoring Jace calling my name. I wasn't in the mood.

Outside, my car was already waiting. The driver opened the door with a bow, and I nearly rolled my eyes.

Without a word, I slid in, about to signal the driver when—

A presence.

My gaze flicked outside.

The new guy.

He was staring again.

The moment he realized I'd caught him, he snapped his head away, but I didn't look away.

Suspicious.

Shaking my head, I tapped the driver's seat. The car sped off.