Lines that shouldn't be crossed

Chapter 4: Lines That Shouldn’t Be Crossed

The Romano estate was quiet that night. Too quiet.

Lydia hated the silence here. It wasn't peaceful. It was the kind that held its breath, waiting for someone to scream.

Her father was in the garage, working late. The staff kept to themselves. And she—she sat alone in her room above the servant quarters, window cracked open, eyes fixed on the moonlight creeping across her floor.

A soft knock startled her.

Not on her door—on her window.

She turned sharply.

Jake.

She rushed over and whispered, “Are you insane?”

He stood just outside, perched on the stone ledge like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Open it.”

“No.”

He smiled. “Lydia.”

It wasn’t a plea. It was a command wrapped in silk.

She opened the window—just an inch.

“You’re going to fall,” she hissed.

“I never fall.”

With one easy movement, he slid inside, landing with the grace of a predator. The room suddenly felt smaller.

Lydia stepped back. “You can’t be here.”

Jake’s eyes moved over her—barefoot, hair loose, T-shirt too big for her frame. His voice was low. “Why were you with him today?”

She crossed her arms. “You don’t get to ask that.”

He moved closer. “He doesn’t see you.”

“And you do?”

Jake stopped inches away. “I see everything. The way you flinch around noise. The way you pretend to be invisible. You think no one notices? I notice.”

Lydia’s breath caught.

“You don’t even like me,” she whispered.

His gaze was sharp, unblinking. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

She swallowed hard. “You’re dangerous.”

Jake smiled faintly. “I warned you.”

She looked up at him, heart thudding. “What do you want from me?”

He didn’t touch her. But his voice dropped to a murmur that slid over her skin. “Everything.”

---

The next morning, the air was heavy.

Lydia woke late and rushed to class. Jake wasn’t there. Neither was Alex.

Whispers buzzed in the hallway.

“Infirmary.”

“Broken nose…”

“Romano’s driver’s daughter…”

Her stomach dropped.

She ran.

Down the hall, past the fountain, into the nurse’s office.

Alex sat on the cot, lip split, one eye swollen. He smiled faintly when he saw her.

“Oh my god, Alex.”

“I’m fine.”

“What happened?”

He hesitated. “Jake happened.”

Her throat went dry. “No…”

“It was a warning. Not to touch you. Not to talk to you. Not to look at you.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “This is my fault—”

“Don’t.” He took her hand gently. “This is his fault.”

She gripped his hand tighter.

“I’ll report him,” she said, trembling.

“No one will listen,” Alex said quietly. “He’s untouchable. You know that.”

But she couldn’t stand by anymore. Couldn’t let someone get hurt because of her.

She would confront Jake.

---

She found him in the garden behind the east wing, where the elite students sometimes gathered.

He looked up, unsurprised. “I was wondering when you’d come.”

Lydia walked straight up to him and slapped him.

Silence. Sharp. Complete.

Jake touched his cheek, then met her eyes.

“You crossed the line,” she said, voice shaking.

He stepped closer. “He crossed it first.”

“By talking to me?”

“By touching something that’s mine.”

Lydia’s heart thundered. “I’m not yours.”

Jake leaned in, face inches from hers.

“No,” he said softly. “But you will be. Whether you hate me for it or not.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***