22:39 Chapter 18 The teacher let out a sigh , Evelina , youve been daydreaming a lot lately . You havent mastered the content weve been reviewing , and its going to hurt your exam scores . Evelinas cheeks flushed , Im sorry . It wont happen again . Her loyal friend quickly jumped in , Lemira has been really focused lately . Im sure she knows the answer . Now , all eyes were on Lemira , most of them expecting a good laugh . After all , Lemiras grades were usually below Evelinas , so the odds of her knowing the answer were slim . But Lemira stood up , answering the question clearly and correctly . The teacher looked surprised , Correct answer , Lemira . Youve been working hard lately . The rest of you could learn something from her . Dont slack off . kelina stole a glance at Lemira , seething with jealousy . If it hadnt been for all the time wasted on video games , she could have been the one who correctly answered the question . Now Lemira had stolen her thunder , which was infuriating ! She knew she had to catch up . After being praised , Lemira felt a lot better . After school , she didnt head to the infirmary as usual but went straight home to the Langstons . She needed to be careful not to let Lucian catch on to anything . Sure enough , upon her return , the butler kept an uncomfortably close eye on her . After dinner , Lemira went straight to her room , locking the door behind her , finally feeling a bit more at ease . While doing her homework , she pulled out her phone , contemplating whether to message Orion since she hadnt visited him today . But it seemed like he wasnt waiting for her ; it was always her taking the initiative . Should she send a message ? Lemira stared at her phone , indecisive . Maybe she could wait a bit longer before sending a message ? She set down her phone and continued with her homework , but soon her eyelids began to droop , likely a result of staying up all night . She decided to rest her head on the desk for a moment , only to fall asleep accidentally . The next morning , Lemira was jolted awake by her alarm . She glanced at the time , wondering how it was already morning . After getting ready and scrambling downstairs , she hurried to school . At lunch , she hesitated for a moment before turning towards the infirmary . But Orion wasnt there . Gathering her courage , she asked the doctor inside , Wheres Dr. Everhart ? He went out for lunch . Lemira nodded , planning to return after school . When she did return in the afternoon , Orion was still absent , with the same doctor during the day present instead . The doctor looked at her , Young lady , Im on duty today . Focus on your studies and dont think about these things . Youre too young for that . Lemira blushed deeply , leaving without further explanation . Over the next few days , she sneaked to the infirmary but never saw Orion . She began to feel a bit lost , having grown accustomed to him being there . Lemira realized she had started to depend on Orion . She quickly adjusted her mindset , reminding herself that she needed to rely on her own strengths . She settled herself down and focused on preparing for the upcoming exams . She couldnt afford to lose ! After the exams , Lemira felt she had done well . She might even make it into the top hundred . But everyone else seemed to complain about the difficulty of the questions . She opened her phone , hesitating over what to message Orion . They werent that close after all . Struggling with social interactions , she turned off her phone in frustration . Returning home in good spirits , Lemira found the living room bustling with her brothers , none of whom had gone to training camp as expected . Her arrival quieted the room , seeming to cast a shadow over the joyous gathering , as if she was the intruder disrupting the fun . In "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" by CrushReel, Zoe Hale takes a daring step by marrying Ashton Cross, a man under suspicion for her sister's mysterious demise. As their relationship evolves, hidden truths unravel, intertwining love and suspense in this captivating romance novel. Exploring the complexities of loyalty and deception, the story delves deep into Zoe's quest for justice while navigating the unexpected twists of her heart. The enigmatic bond between Zoe and Ashton unfolds against a backdrop of secrets and revelations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page. Set in a blend of romance and drama, "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" stands out for its intricate character dynamics and the seamless fusion of passion and intrigue. With every chapter, CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that immerses readers in a world where love confronts darkness, leaving them yearning for more. Discover the enthralling saga of Zoe and Ashton, available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in this unique tale that defies conventions and promises an unforgettable literary experience.