Was it just an act?

Mia hid in Luna's room, her neck and chest covered in hickeys. She was afraid to go out, and just as afraid to stay alone in her own room.

She was scared and felt wronged when she thought about Alexander, but Luna had no patience for her emotional turmoil. Mia had to deal with it alone.

As she was playing a game on her phone, a news alert popped up. She was planning to ignore it, but then she saw her own name.

Was it about her and Alexander?

She stopped playing the game and clicking the trending news. As she braced herself for what she might see, she was greeted with several photos.

The photos showed the backs of two people - unmistakably, Maria and Charles.

In one of them, Charles had his arm around Maria’s shoulder, and they were smiling at each other, looking incredibly... happy.

In a fit of rage, Mia threw her phone onto the

floor.

"Why do I have to hide like a rat while that wretched Maria takes my place and trends with Charles?"

Thinking about Alexander's sleazy grin, she felt h