Chapter 17 The Cost of Choice

“People like us how many of us really get to choose who we marry?”

Colton’s voter bwas /bcalm.

48 Pears

Everyone in their ss was born into privilege, second–generation heirs of wealth and power. But with that privilege came

sacrifices.

Like their future marriages.

Still, it wasn’t something they bhad /bto worry about just yet.

“It’s fine. Now that you’re in ss Six, if Zayden ever messes with you again, we’ll bmake /bsure he regrets it.”

Henry’s firm stance made Eliza’s thanks heartfelt. “Thank you.”

In her previous life, she’d been timid and full of self–doubt, always orbiting around Zayden like he was the center of her world. She hadn’t had a single friend.

bNow/b, for the first time, she understood what it felt like to be chosen and defended by someone who truly cared.

Back in ss One, Naomi was in tears, sobbing like a pitiful flower in the rain.

A few ssmates gathered around tofort her, while bthe /btwo girls who had been arguing with Naomi earlier were waiting for Zayden to return and take their side.

It wasn’t long before Zayden came back.

bPam /brushed to him first, crying, “ss rep, Eliza was bullying our ssmates from ss One! You have to stand up for us!”

“Yeah! She’s totally abusing her power–she needs to be punished! They should just expel her!”

Zayden shot them a cold look.

Both girls froze.

put in Eliza’s lunchbox?”

“What did you two put

Pam’s face went pale. She couldn’t meet Zayden’s eyes.

“bZayden/b, it’s my fault, bNaomi /bchimed in quickly. “bI /bbsaw /bbyou /band Eliza getting bclose /bto ss Six and got upset, so Iined a little, and…”

“So byou /bknew?”

Zayden bfrowned/b, eyes turning bfrosty /bas he looked at Naomi

That one look made her bshiver/b.

“Eliza may have left ss One, but she was still one of us. How could you treat her like that?”

Naomi’s face fes Zayden came to Eliza’s defense

Everyone in ss looked around in confusion.

Zayden had bnever /bcared for Eliza before. In fact, they barely exchanged a single word.

So why was he standing up for her now!

“From now on, no one is allowed to mess with Eliza. If anyone does don’t me me for turning my back on you

His cold gaze swept over beveryone /b

the TODILI

Chapter 17 The Cost of Choice

Finally, his eyesnded on bNaomi /b

She felt uneasy and but her lip.

Zayden didn’t say anything else, but the warning bwas /bclear.

If Naomi hadn’t been crying bearlier/b, he never would’ve gone after Eliza without hearing both sides

That afternoon.

PE ss bwas /babout to start.

The rest of ss Six had already gone downstairs.

Only Eliza had stayed behind to use the restroom.

Outside the bathroom, Naomi had clearly been waiting for a while.

As soon bas /bEliza came out, bNaomi /bstepped in front of her.

“Eliza

Eliza frowned “ss is about to bstart/b. bWhat /bdo you want?”

“Eliza, I’m really sorry about bwhat /bhappened at lunch. I didn’t mean it… You’re not really mad at me, are you?”

Naomi looked bup /bat her nervously, trying to look fragile and remorseful.

“Come on, you’re my sister. How could I ever be mad at you?”

+ Pearls

Eliza didn’t bwant /bto waste time with Naomi. They had a physical fitness exam this afternoon, and she just wanted to get it over wath

“Eliza“b” /b

Naomi blocked her bagain/b, hesitating. “Sis, I have one more favor..”

“What is it nowb?/b”

bNaomi /bbit her lip, looking embarrassed “I… I’m on my period. My stomach really hurts. The teacher asked me to carry some equipment, and L…”

“You want me to do it for you?”

bNaomi /bnodded quickly.

Eliza’s face remained unreadable.

Even though ss bOne /band ss Six didn’t have PE together, their schedules lined up. And today, bbecause /bof the test, both sses bwould /bbe taking the exam bat /bthe same time.

“I won’t make youte for your bexam/b. I promise. Please, Eliza

bNaomi’s /beyes were full of pleading

Eliza hesitated for a second, then reluctantly said. “Fine. But bss /bstarts in five minutes. You’ll bhave /btoe with me and help”

Naomi’s face instantly lit up. “Eliza! I knew you’d say yes! bThank /bbyou/b!”

Out on the bekl

ss Six bwas /bbalready /bbassembled/b.

Henry nced toward the main building, confused. “Anyone seen Eliza

Chapter 17 The Cost of Choice

ss was about to start, and she still wasn’t there.

This was no ordinary ss–it bwas /bba /bphysical exam.

If she waste, then strict PE teacher wouldn’t hesitate to disqualify her

y her score

Nn’s eyes darkened.

bAnd /bthen, the bell rang

The PE teacher started walking toward them.

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