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CHAPTER 3
~Spring's POV~
The bell rang shortly after, and school ended like a wave crashing into silence.
I didn't speak to anyone on the way out. I didn't need to. The entire hallway parted like I was some untouchable force, something no one could categorise anymore.
I didn't look around. I didn't gloat. I simply walked forward—head high, spine straight, eyes burning with something wild.
And when I stepped out of the gates, I paused.
Because there, leaning against a sleek black Range Rover car, arms crossed and chewing on a sour blue lollipop like it owed him answers, was Eryx Kaine.
His unruly dyed cyan blue hair was tousled just the right amount to scream 'I woke up like this,' and his hoodie was probably worth more than five of my monthly allowance.
The phone in his hand flashed with a flicker of holographic light, and the sharp grin he gave me when our eyes met said everything before he even opened his mouth.
He was trouble—brilliant, reckless, dangerous fun—and once, he had been Spring's favourite.
Until he chose Rose.
I could still feel the sting of the slap. Not metaphorical—literal. The day Rose had cried crocodile tears and claimed Spring broke her favourite mug—the one Eryx had custom-printed with her name in cursive gold.
She said Spring shattered it and cut her hand with the shards. Eryx hadn't asked for proof or waited to hear her out.
He'd hit her. Twice.
Her lip had bled, but Eryx never looked back.
So seeing him here—waiting at school, grinning like we were tight again—made my spine stiffen.
Did she send him? I wondered. Was this part of another game? Or was this guilt wearing a hoodie and a smirk?
"Well, damn," Eryx said, pushing off the car with a low whistle. "Didn't think you'd be the one to flip the school's hierarchy like a pancake. You really kissed Storm? In public?"
I blinked but managed to school my expression into one of indifference. "News travels fast."
Eryx shrugged. "I am the news."
I didn't answer. My legs ached, and my wrist still throbbed from where I'd gripped Beatrice. Every step pulled on tight muscles, but I refused to stumble. Not in front of him. Not again.
My legs ached. However, Eryx must've noticed something because the smirk softened—just a little.
"I was gonna crack a joke, but you look like you've been dragged behind a truck full of bricks," he muttered, unlocking the passenger door. "Come on. Let's get you home."
Did Eryx just show care? Okay…. That was… weird?
When we walked in, the house was too quiet. From Spring's memories, silence usually meant trouble or judgment, but Eryx acted like it was normal.
He kicked off his sneakers and tossed his hoodie onto a chair before flopping down on the couch like a king in exile.
I stood stiff by the door, unsure. This wasn't how Spring remembered it. Her brothers—Kaius, Rhys, Eryx—weren't warm. They weren't soft. And they were rarely home. Each had their own house, but often came by just for Rose.
Rose and not me.
But now…
Eryx threw me a glance. "You hungry? You look like someone who had an emotional breakdown in algebra."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why did you come to my school?"
"Pardon?" he acted like he didn't hear, but I wasn't giving him a chance.
"Why did you come?"
"Do I need a reason to come and take my kid sis home?"
I arched my brow. Seriously? He was saying this as though he did that when Rose came into the picture?
"Did you come pick me up just to sass me?" I questioned rather sharply than planned.
"Maybe." He grinned again, but then leaned forward, elbows on his knees, gaze sharper. "But also to ask: what's going on, Spring? You're not acting like… you. And I heard from the nurse that you were hurt. Who..."
I hesitated, biting the inside of my cheek. "I've got it covered. No need."
"R… Spring, you can tell me who is bullying you and I…"
If I told him the person was Rose, what would he say? Would he still care and make these promises?
I crossed my hands in front of my chest. "Handled the bullying, didn't I?"
His brows rose, amused but also surprised. "That's the part that confuses me." He leaned back again. "You actually handled it."
Silence settled again, until he added, voice lower now, "Rose isn't here."
Why was he telling me that?
"Went to stay over at Claire's or something. You've got the house to yourself tonight… mostly." I tensed without meaning to. He noticed. "Hey." His voice dropped gently. "I'm not gonna hurt you."
I met his eyes—and instantly regretted it. There was no mockery in them—just honesty.
"You're staying?" Was this part of the act? Or was he serious?
"And leave you alone here?"
"I've got the maids," my sharp tongue countered.
"So you'd pick strangers over your brother?"
"I'd choose a dog over you any day. At least dogs don't hit without proof." I wanted to say that, but decided not to prolong this conversation.
I nodded once. "Okay."
The day was peaceful while I had time to relax and sleep part of the pain away. But if I thought yesterday's weirdness was over, I was in for some shock.
The next morning was… strange.
I came down expecting the usual—lukewarm breakfast, cold shoulders, no words.
What I got was all three of them waiting at the table. This was the first time I met Kaius and Rhys, and from her memory, the coldness made me lose my appetite.
However, something in the air changed.
Kaius looked pristine in a charcoal suit. Rhys read a medical journal while stirring tea. Eryx was upside-down on the couch, scrolling through data that probably could crash the nation.
All three heads turned when I walked in.
"Y-You're all here?"
Kaius rose first. He didn't answer my question but stated sharply, "You're late."
I blinked. "It's… 6:45. Quite early." I walked past, ready to leave for school, when Kaius's cold, deep voice rang out, leaving no room for disobedience.
"You'll eat first," he said, pulling out a chair. "You need to put on some weight in the right areas."
"I have curves," I muttered, but did not move until he arched a brow and his once cold eyes suddenly turned warm.
I sighed and moved to sit with suspicion. "I'm already busty. I have a good ass and decent shape. What more do I need?"
Eryx didn't miss a beat as he dropped his device and came to sit with us. "To be more confident and less skinny. Then you can break hearts comfortably." He winked, popping a grape into his mouth.
Kaius reached beside him and smacked the back of his head without even looking. "Do not teach her how to be a player like you."
"I'm just preparing her for reality," Eryx muttered dramatically, rubbing his scalp. "She's gonna need it if she's gonna survive high school politics and rich idiots."
Rhys closed his medical journal and turned to me. "You handled your scandal yesterday. Impressive." His tone was flat but sincere. "But next time… let us know."
I raised an eyebrow, mid-chew. "Since when do you all care?"
The silence that followed made my fork feel heavier than it should've.
Kaius sipped his black coffee like I hadn't said anything offensive, but his glance flicked briefly in my direction, measuring.
Eryx fidgeted with a spoon.
And Rhys... actually blinked.
"We've always cared," Rhys said simply.
I stared at him, unsure if I believed it. I wasn't Spring, but her memories didn't show this kind of attention. At all, maybe when Rose wasn't in the picture.
Then Rhys gestured to my plate. "Finish your toast. You'll need energy."
I kept chewing, a little more aware of how closely they watched me, making me lose my appetite for the delicious-looking meal before me.
A few minutes flew by before Kiaus broke the silence, rising, "If you're done, let's go. I'll drive."
"Excuse me?" Rhys frowned, setting his cup down. "Why you?"
"I have a meeting close to her school. I'm already suited," Kaius explained.
"I have surgery this afternoon. I'll be heading that way anyway."
"I'm the eldest."
"I'm better-looking."
"Debatable."
"You wish."
I blinked at both of them. Were they seriously fighting over who got to take me to school? Since when?!
"I'll take her!"