8 Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Orions gaze was unfathomable , You trust me this much , not afraid I might fool you ? Whats there for you to fool me out of ? Lemira looked at him squarely , Youre pretty much my only friend right now . Orions gaze briefly faltered . A friend ? His lips curled slightly , and then he put on a stern facade , Dont just trust people willy nilly in the future , especially men . Got it , Im off . Lemira waved , slinging her backpack over her shoulder as she left the infirmary . Orion remained seated long after shed left , his eyes catching the sight of the cake on the desk . Memories of a car crash scene , with a ruined birthday cake , flashed through his mind . His head began to throb uncontrollably . Since that car crash , he hadnt touched cake again . After a while , he got a call , Mr. Everhart , Ms. Langston has safely arrived home . Only then did Orion hang up , his silhouette stretching long in the setting sun . Back at the Langston residence , Lemira found Lucian sitting on the sofa , obviously waiting for her . She greeted him without emotion , Lucian . Lucian looked up to find his distant yet defiant sister , unsure of what to say . He had suspected her of cheating when her grades suddenly shot up . But it turned out her achievements were genuine . Except these years Lemiras were mediocre for her school grades , how come such drastic change ? Lucian realized Lemira had truly changed , and it wasnt just a phase of acting out . He felt both happy and lost . The sister who used to center around him seemed gone . She was genuinely putting in the effort , not just being stubborn . Lucian started to reflect , realizing he had looked at Lemira through filtered lens and indeed been neglectful of Lemiras feelings , especially with Alarics stunt at school . Could this be why she changed so much ? Lucians voice was mixed , Back so late , were you at the public library again ? Yeah . Lucian sighed slightly , Isnt it better here than at those public places ? Its not safe out there with all sorts of people . Stop going to those libraries to study . Lemira pressed her lips ; there it was again , decisions made for her . Lucian continued , Evelinas grades have dropped badly , so I hired a tutor for her . You should join in . If Evelina struggles with anything , you can help her out . After all , youre classmates . When she was absent , you could take detailed notes for her . Lemiras gaze turned scornful . So , it was all for Evelinas sake ; that was why she was asked to study at home . Lemira stood tall , I dont want that . Lemmy , I know that Alaric did wrong back at school , but youve already proved that youre capable . Eve is our family . Her dropping rank is because of the match , and since you wont join the team , you should make some sacrifice , assisting Eve with her grades . Youve got the experience after all . Lemira only felt it absurd , I refuse ! Just two words would make her feel explaining was a waste of time . Alaric burst out , pointing at her , Lemira , have you no conscience ? After all these years living off the Langstons , and youve contributed nothing . How can you be so shameless ? Lemira found it ironic . In her past life , she had indeed tried her hardest for the Langstons , honing her gaming skills to lead the team to victory . And what did she get in return ? The result of Evelinas few tears could easily replace her , taking over the championship spot . This life , she wouldnt make the stupid mistake . She coolly responded , Fine , from today on , Ill move out of the Langston house and not use a dime of the Langstons money . Lets sever ties now , she thought . 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.