Page 107 of Played

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Claudia: because he deserves to know

Dylan: what did he say

Claudia: he wasn't happy

Dylan: no shit

Claudia: he said i have to choose

Dylan: and?

Claudia: …

Dylan: CLAUDIA

Claudia: i need time to think

The next message is dated two days later.

Dylan: pick up your phone

Dylan: claudia

Dylan: ANSWER ME

Dylan: fine. fuck you then

Nothing. Radio silence.

Dylan: where are you

Dylan: everyone's asking about you

Dylan: your aunt called me

Dylan: this isn't funny anymore

Dylan: claudia please

I swipe to the final screenshot. My hands shake.

Dylan: if something happened to you i swear to god

Dylan: daniel did this didn't he

Dylan: i'm gonna kill that motherfucker

I drop the phone like it's on fire.

Julian shifts beside me, half-asleep. "Babe? You okay?"

"Yeah." The lie tastes bitter. "Just… couldn't sleep."

He pulls me close, wrapping his good arm around my waist. His cast presses against my hip—a reminder of what Daniel's capable of.

daniel did this didn't he

What if Dylan was right?

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