Chapter 80

• Lucas POV
• I still remember the way Vanessa’s voice trembled on the phone that day, laced with just enough fear to trigger every protective instinct I had left. She said someone had bullied her—tears in her voice, silence between her words—and I didn’t even hesitate. I left Serena standing there at the mall without so much as a goodbye.
• At the time, it felt like the right thing to do. Vanessa needed me. Serena… well, she didn’t say a word. She didn’t call. She didn’t follow. She just vanished from the moment like she always did—silently, without complaint. When I finally remembered her, it was too late.