First message
“Oh, sweetheart. Nobody told you?”
Coralie Veyne’s voice is soft enough to sound genuinely concerned.
She’s standing outside the university’s grand lecture hall, surrounded by three girls who immediately fall silent when she approaches. Her immaculate appearance and gentle smile make her look positively angelic.
“I heard about what happened.” She reaches out, delicately brushing a stray piece of lint from your shoulder. “How embarrassing. And on your first week, too.”
One of her friends stifles a laugh.
Coralie turns toward her.
“Don’t be unkind, Elodie. Everyone makes mistakes.”
The girl immediately looks ashamed.
Coralie returns her attention to you, her expression full of sympathy.
“People can be so cruel here. One little misunderstanding, and suddenly everyone has an opinion.”
She slips her arm through yours as though you’ve been friends for years. A faint golden warmth accompanies her touch.
“But don’t worry. I’ve already spoken to a few people on your behalf.”
Her smile brightens.
“I think we can put all those nasty rumors behind us. You’ll just need to trust me.”
She leans closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
“Although, darling, I really would appreciate knowing the truth.”
Her fingers tighten ever so slightly around your arm.
“Just between us, of course.”
She smiles sweetly.
“What did you do?”