CHAPTER 20

Isla's POV

No! No! No! My mind cried as Adrian walked towards Sylvie as if he was expecting this. That smirk on his face told me for whatever reason Sylvie had asked us to stay back, it was not good. Not for me.

I fidgeted my fingers restlessly as the rest of the class filtered out. Sylvie’s gaze locked onto the two of us, her eyes narrowing strangely and her demeanor changing to something more serious. My heart pounded uncomfortably in my chest, unsure if it was because of the situation or Adrian’s presence beside me.

“Adrian,” Sylvie began, her voice measured, as she flickered her eyes between us, “the tests on Elara’s belongings came back clean."

I blinked in surprise, feeling a little bitter. Had he been investigating Elara's death this whole time? He didn't even tell anyone about keeping Elara's charred clothes and some other belongings. There was a strange sense of unease creeping up my spine. I knew how much Elara meant to him, but witnessing his devotion to her firsthand was something else. A strength-enhancing potion? What was he hoping to find?

"What? Nothing? I am certain I picked up a distinct smell." Adrian's brows furrowed, his expression turning sour and his voice full of confusion.

"There was nothing unusual, except for a common strength-enhancing potion. It wasn’t lethal.” Sylvie concluded, leaving no room for debate.

Adrian’s frown deepened. His jaw tightened as he stared at Sylvie. “Is this going to be a cold case, then?” He said in a low, sharp tone, reflecting his frustration.

I hadn’t realized he was so determined. What did he expect to find?

Then suddenly he turned towards me, and his glare hit me like a punch to the gut. “Why did you keep her here?” His words were venomous, eyes burning with suspicion and anger.

Sylvie sighed, glancing between us. “What do you mean, Adrian? Isla is Elara’s sister. She deserves to know the results too. And,” she hesitated for a moment, “her knowledge of herbs might be useful in helping you uncover the truth.”

Adrian scoffed, his lip curling in disgust. “Her? Useful?” He laughed bitterly. “Never. I would never take her help." He sneered, his eyes narrowing at me. She is the prime suspect. Everybody knows this.”

The accusation struck like a slap, disbelief crashing through me. My pulse quickened, anger flaring up inside me. It was one thing to tell whatever came to his mind in front of others, but my teacher? How dare he? That was a new low for him. I wasn’t close to Elara. Everyone knew that. She never liked me. But no matter what our feelings were, she was still my twin. I would never harm her or my family.

“Show me your evidence, Adrian,” I snapped, my voice sharp and cold. I looked at him equally menacingly, lifting my chin, and refusing to let him walk all over me. “Or keep your baseless accusations to yourself. I won’t tolerate your slander.”

He took a step forward, his eyes darkening with fury, his presence dominating the space between us.

“I saw today your knowledge of herbs and potions. With your abilities, making any potion to—” Adrian began, trying to intimidate me, make me falter so that he could use that against me. But I wasn’t going to break. Not for him. Not for anyone. Not anymore.

“To what?” I interrupted, cutting him off before he could finish. “To kill my own sister? You really think I am that person?”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “You expect me to believe you? YOU?”

“I expect you to stop acting like you are the only one who lost someone,” I shot back. “She was also my sister. We might not have been close, but I would never have hurt her.”

We glared at each other, trying to win the staring competition. But before this could escalate or either of us could say another word, Sylvie stepped in, her voice calm but firm. “Enough, both of you. This isn’t going to solve anything.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me. He looked away, puffing and running his hand through his hair to calm his nerves.

Sylvie, sensing the lingering tension between us, intervened again. She handed me the small bundle of Elara’s belongings. “You can take a look at these,” she said gently. “See if you find anything that the tests might have missed. A new perception is always welcoming.”

I nodded. Perhaps it was the first time I had been holding something that was hers. So the weight of it felt wrong in my hands, like it didn’t belong to me at all. Still, I took it, my hands trembling. It was a rare opportunity to prove my innocence.

Adrian was about to say something to object so, I spoke up before he could open his mouth. “I am willing to help,” I continued, my voice calmer, steadier. “Not just to clear my own name, but to find out what really happened. Elara deserves the truth, and so do I.”

"Great! Keep me informed." Sylvie announced, leaving no room for debate.

As we left the classroom, I could feel Adrian’s gaze boring into me, unrelenting. I knew he was going to stop me and continue with his baseless accusations. So, I took larger steps to evade him in this empty corridor. But just as I turned to take the exit, he took large, deliberate steps, blocking my path. His eyes flashed with something between anger and pain as he cornered me against the wall, forcing her into a tight space. Too tight for us not to share the air. I should have pushed him away or something. But I kept looking at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

“You don’t deserve to take her things,” he growled, his voice low, dangerous.

My heart skipped a beat, and for a split second, I saw the pain in his eyes, raw and real.