Page 222 of Bad Prince

---

My pleasure.

I hesitate.

Then add?—

“De verdad… gracias. Me hacía falta esto.”

Truly… thank you. I really needed this.

Her eyes soften.

“Vuelve cuando quieras, mija.”

Come back whenever you want, sweetheart.

I nod.

But something in my chest twists.

Because I know I can’t stay here.

This isn’t my life anymore.

Stanford is.

The court is.

The pressure is.

The noise.

The choices.

Tristan.

Isa.

Kane.

All of it.

I pay.

Grab my bag.

Step back out into the late afternoon sun.

The world is still loud.

Still messy.

Still unresolved.

But for the first time since this morning?—

I don’t feel like I’m drowning in it.

I pull out my phone.

---