Sweet dreams…?

KATHERINE

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I paced around my room with my phone pressed tightly against my ear, my voice low and furious.

“I’m telling you, Camila is ruining everything,” I hissed into the receiver. “She’s a bad egg for the plan. She’s making him… different.”

On the other end, my best friend, Sasha, sighed. “Then take matters into your own hands, Kat. Stop waiting around. If you want to win, you have to fight dirty. You know that.”

I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palm. “I know. I just thought — I thought it would be easier. She’s nothing special, for god’s sake.”

“Apparently, he thinks otherwise,” Sasha said, dry and cutting. “Fix it before you lose your chance.”

Before I could reply, a sudden, piercing scream tore through the night air and I stiffened.

“What was that?” Sasha asked.

“I’ll call you back,” I muttered and ended the call without waiting for a reply.

I threw the phone onto the bed and hurried out, my heart thundering but not out of concern. No. It was pure, burning curiosity.

I followed the sound down the corridor and paused near Camila’s room — just in time to see the door slightly ajar, warm light spilling into the hallway.

I hid behind a column, barely breathing.

Inside, I saw King pulling Camila into his arms. Holding her like she was some precious antique.

The way he touched her, the way he looked at her, It was like he would do anything to protect her.

I bit down hard on my lip, jealousy burning through me like acid. So that was why Camila refused to continue with the plan. Because she had him wrapped around her little stupid finger.

I stayed hidden, heart pounding furiously as I watched him gently take her hand and lead her down the hallway, whispering something low and soft.

They disappeared into the art room without even bothering to lock the door and I saw this as a chance to feed my jealousy.

Perfect.

I crept silently to the doorway, pressing my ear against the wood.

Inside, their voices floated out in soft whispers. Her telling him about her parents, her nightmares, and about… Nick? Who was Nick?

Those soothing words king said to her purged my insides. The more I listened, the more rage clawed its way up my throat. It should’ve been me.

It was supposed to be me.

It should have been me hearing those words, me holding those soft manly hands of his, me being his muse.

I clenched my fists so tight my nails cut into my palms.

Then I heard the shift in the air and as I peeped through the door, I saw what they were about to do.

I didn’t even think when I shoved the door open violently.

“KING!” I cried out, stepping into the room.

Both of them jerked apart like they’d been burned. Camila’s face flushed deep red. She grabbed the blanket tighter around her and stumbled away from him.

King’s jaw locked into stone, irritation flashing in his eyes. He didn’t even bother to hide it. He didn’t bother to hide how irritated he was at my presence.

“Go back to bed, Camila,” he said coldly, barely glancing at me.

I watched, seething, as Camila nodded, ducking her head and fleeing the room. The second she was gone, I closed the door behind me and turned to face King.

He stared at me, unimpressed.

“What do you want, Katherine?” His voice was flat, already dismissive.

I forced a shaky smile. “I couldn’t sleep. I saw the light on in here and… I thought we could talk. Like old times.”

He didn’t answer.

Didn’t move.

I stepped closer, steeling myself. “King,” I said, letting my voice drop into a soft, pleading tone. “Why are you treating her like this? Why are you being… nice to her?”

He didn’t even blink.

“Why have you never painted me?” I asked, desperate now. “All these years, all the women you’ve painted, why not me? Don’t you see me? Don’t you think I’m attractive?”

There was a long, heavy pause. Then King spoke, voice colder than I’d ever heard it. “You’re Leonard’s sister, Katherine. I don’t want to jeopardize our friendship.”

“But we’re not kids anymore,” I whispered, stepping closer. “And one night— heck, one kiss! doesn’t have to ruin anything.”

I reached out to touch his arm, my fingers trailing lightly against him but he jerked away as if my touch disgusted him.

My heart cracked but I pressed on. I leaned up, closing the distance, trying to kiss him — forcing myself on him.

He pushed me away so hard I stumbled back a step. “Don’t,” he said, voice sharp as a blade. “Don’t ever do that again.”

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I swallowed them down. “Why?” I demanded, voice cracking. “Why her? Why not me?”

He stared at me disgustedly furious and when he spoke, his words were ice. “Because you’re not worthy.”

The words hit me like a slap.

He didn’t stop at that. “You’re desperate. You’re pathetic. You throw yourself at me like a cheap toy. And you have the audacity to think you could ever replace her?”

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

“You’re nothing but a pestering rat,” he finished, disgust dripping from every word. “Know your place, Katherine.”

The tears spilled free before I could stop them.

I turned and fled the room, humiliation and hatred twisting together inside me as I couldn’t stop the tears from falling down my face.

I hated her.

I hated him.

I kept running and I didn’t stop until I slammed my bedroom door behind me. I fell against it, breathing hard and trying to control my tears.

King had never said such things to me before, but because of that cheap little thing, he even called me disgusted.

She was going to pay.

Camila will pay for every freaking thing.