Chapter 54
The elite lounge at Blackthorn was nothing like Andrea had imagined. The room was expansive, filled with plush leather couches, dim lighting, and a faint scent of expensive cologne. Students lounged around with an air of entitlement, sipping from crystal glasses and laughing quietly.
Andrea felt the weight of their stares as she walked in beside Liam. His arm rested casually around her waist, a gesture that kept the whispers at bay but couldn’t entirely erase the tension in the room.
“You look nervous,” Liam whispered, leaning close enough for only her to hear.
Andrea glanced at him, her expression guarded. “Maybe because I don’t belong here.”
Liam smirked, tightening his grip around her. “You belong wherever I say you do.”
The confidence in his voice was meant to reassure her, but Andrea couldn’t shake the discomfort that crept up her spine.
The evening started quietly enough. Liam introduced her to a few of his classmates, most of whom nodded politely but didn’t bother hiding their disdain. Andrea stayed close to Liam’s side, her hands clasped tightly together as she tried to avoid drawing attention to herself.
That was until Claire arrived.
The room seemed to shift when she walked in, her presence commanding attention. Dressed in a tailored crimson dress, Claire was every bit the Queen of Hearts she claimed to be. Her sharp gaze immediately landed on Andrea, narrowing with obvious contempt.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” Claire said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she approached. “Andrea, in the elite lounge? Who let the Joker in?”
Andrea stiffened, her stomach twisting. Liam’s arm stayed firmly around her, but she could feel the tension radiating from him.
“Claire,” Liam said warningly, his tone cold. “Don’t start.”
Claire ignored him, her focus entirely on Andrea. “Oh, I’m not starting anything. I just find it fascinating how far some people will go to avoid facing reality.”
Andrea clenched her fists, her pulse quickening. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Claire laughed, a sharp, humorless sound. “Don’t play dumb, Andrea. Everyone knows why you’re here. You’re using Liam because you’re too weak to handle your own problems.”
“Claire, that’s enough,” Liam said, his voice sharper now.
But Claire didn’t stop. She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Pathetic. Desperate. You’re nothing but a—”
“Claire!” Liam barked, cutting her off. His voice was loud enough to make the room fall silent.
Claire froze, startled by his tone. Liam’s expression was stone-cold, his jaw clenched as he stared her down. “Get out. Now.”
Claire’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flicking between Liam and Andrea. For a moment, it seemed like she might argue, but then she turned on her heel and stormed out, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Back in Liam’s room, the silence was almost deafening. Andrea sat on the edge of his bed, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have come.”
Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the desk. “Stop apologizing. This isn’t your fault.”
Andrea looked down, her voice trembling. “She’s not wrong, though. I am desperate. I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t.”
Liam walked over and crouched in front of her, resting his hands on her knees. “Listen to me,” he said firmly, his eyes locking onto hers. “You don’t owe Claire, or anyone else in that room, a damn thing. You don’t need to prove yourself to them.”
Andrea’s throat tightened, and she blinked back tears. “Then why does it feel like I do?”
Liam’s gaze softened, and he reached up to brush a tear from her cheek. “Because they want you to feel that way. They want to break you, Andrea. Don’t let them win.”
His words were steady, full of quiet conviction, and for a moment, Andrea felt a flicker of strength she thought she’d lost.
Liam stood, his hand lingering on her cheek as he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You’re stronger than you think, Joker,” he murmured.
Andrea’s chest ached as she stared up at him, her emotions a tangled mess. For weeks, she had hated herself for their arrangement, for what it symbolized. But in moments like this, when Liam showed her kindness and warmth, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to him than his smirking facade.
As the night wore on, Andrea found herself leaning against Liam, her head resting on his shoulder. He didn’t speak, just held her quietly, his arm draped around her like a shield against the outside world.
But even in his arms, guilt gnawed at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was betraying herself, trading pieces of her dignity for safety.
She thought of Nathaniel then, of his promises to protect her, and wondered if he would have set similar terms. Would he have helped her without asking for anything in return?
Andrea closed her eyes, her heart heavy with questions she couldn’t answer.
