Page 90 of Beautiful Lies

Last night was… well, I still have no words for it. I was thankful for the small mercy of being alone once I got away from him.

I needed time to breathe. But then I saw him watching me paint this morning, and the walls started closing in again.

I have another day off today, but I couldn’t stay in that house. Even knowing Knox wouldn’t be there.

Maybe being here is part of my escape, though it makes little sense as this visit isn’t exactly a good one.

Knox doesn’t know I’m here. But neither does Chad. I didn’t want to call him. I wouldn’t have known what to say. This is the kind of visit where it’s better to just show up and hope for the best.

I don’t even know if he still lives here. I just figured he might be. He never officially gave up this place. His parents bought it for him when he was in his second year of college. While he lived in the dorms like me, we used to come here on weekends or sometimes spend whole summers holed up as if we were living together.

When he moved to Australia, one of our mutual friends told me he was using the apartment for storage. So, there’s a chance he’s not here.

The loud creak of the third step before the top makes my chest tighten with nostalgia.

I used to take comfort in that sound. It meant I would see Chad soon. Now, it makes my stomach squeeze with nerves.

I reach the top of the stairs and proceed down the hallway.

Wow.I can still smell Mrs. Wu's cooking from 2B. Garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. The aroma fades the closer I get to Chad’s door. It’s gone by the time I reach it.

I pause outside his door, my hand hovering over the bell. Sweat beads at my temples despite the cool morning air. Part of me wants to turn around and flee back to Knox's pristinemansion, where everything is complicated, but at least I know the rules.

But I need this. I’m getting married next week.

I ring the bell and wait.

The door opens faster than I expect.

And there he is.

Chad.

He’s barefoot, wearing an old T-shirt that hangs loosely around his shoulders and a pair of sweatpants. For a moment, we just stare at each other.

It feels strange to be here with him, stranger still that we only saw each other a few nights ago, when Knox told him to leave me alone.

Chad looks tired, like he hasn’t slept much since that night. And his eyes are wary. Wary of me.

“Isla?” My name comes out more like a question than a greeting.

“Hey.” I force a small smile, nerves twisting tighter in my stomach. “I hope I’m not interrupting. I know it’s early.”

He huffs a soft laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You? Interrupting? After the way your fiancé warned me away, I’d say this is an upgrade.”

I flinch. “He shouldn’t have done that.”

“Yeah, well.” His tone softens, though his guard doesn’t drop. “I get it. Sort of.” His gaze flicks past me, like he half expects Knox to materialize behind me. “Does he know you’re here?”

“No.” The word comes out sharper than I intend. “But I had to see you.”

Something flickers across his face—confusion, or maybe hope—but he masks it quickly.

“Oh.” He clears his throat. “Well, thanks for coming. Do you want to come in?”

“Sure.”

For a few seconds, neither of us moves. Then he sighs and steps back, pushing the door open wider.