Chapter 51

Aria

I’m staring at Lucas like he’s just asked me to calculate Pi to the thousandth decimal. Lost for words doesn’t even cover it. What the actual fuck is Serena’s deal? Seriously, who wakes up and decides to ruin someone else’s life for fun? I’m still processing when Lucas gives me that look…the “don’t bullshit me” glare he’s perfected.

I force out a laugh. “It’s nothing.”

Lucas doesn’t buy it for a second, his brows knitting together. “Nothing? Try again, Aria.”

“No, I mean…” I scramble for something, anything. “It’s Vanessa.”

“Vanessa?” His frown deepens.

“Yeah, her face. I think Ethan hit her.” The lie tumbles out, and I’m already regretting it.

“What?” Lucas’s voice drops a notch, and it’s terrifyingly calm. “Was he like that with you?”

“No, no!” I shake my head, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “I’m just… surprised he’d do something like that. I told her to leave him, but she refused.”

Lucas nods slowly, his jaw t