Chapter 9: The Confrontation

Every head swiveled toward me. I managed a tight smile.

“Ordinary girls like me can’t relate to Ryan’s drama.”

Ryan’s jaw tensed, his gaze turning icy.

He didn’t say another word the rest of the night.

Walking back, Jess elbowed me. “He was totally talking about you! Why didn’t you say something?”

I shook my head. “I don’t go for guys who cross boundaries.”

She blinked. “What do you mean?”

I was about to show her Chloe’s post when Ryan’s voice cut through the air:

“Ava.”

Jess jumped. “Uh—I’ll catch up later!” She vanished, leaving just Ryan and me.

Moonlight slashed through the trees, turning the sidewalk to silver.

I sighed, “Ryan, what do you want?”

He didn’t flinch. “Last time I asked about Elle Monroe—you sure you don’t know her?”

“Don’t know.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Really don’t know?”

I nodded, heart thumping.

When I catfished him as Elle, I’d used a fake photo, a made-up name. I’d dodged video calls, made my voice higher and sweeter than usual. There’s no way he could recognize me.

Trying to sound helpful, I rambled, “Why are you looking for her? Did something happen? I can ask around—maybe she’s from another school…”

He just stared. Then, finally, he smiled—a sharp, dangerous smile.

“No, nothing happened. Just got a score to settle.”

His words chilled me to the bone. I couldn’t tell if he was joking or deadly serious.