Chapter 4

Looking at Chloe's text, my fingertips tapped lightly against the screen.

The dorm room was terrifyingly quiet. From across the space, I could hear suppressed, shaky sobs coming from the other two beds.

I didn't reply to the chat immediately.

Taking my time, I shut my laptop, grabbed a half-read paperback, flipped to the dog-eared page, and read line by line.

My phone vibrated repeatedly on the desk. I didn't spare it a glance.

Soon after, phone calls from Mia and Harper started rolling in, alternating back and forth.

I left them ringing.

About half an hour later, a knock rattled the dorm door.

I didn't need to look to know who was standing on the other side.

Setting my phone down, I walked over and pulled the door open.

Chloe, Mia, and Harper stood in the hallway.

Their eyes were red and swollen, their faces streaked with tears and sheer panic.

Especially Chloe. The same girl who, just two days ago, had strutted around with her nose in the air, looking down on me with utter contempt.

Her lips trembled, and the moment she met my eyes, tears spilled over again.

"Zoe..."

The second she spoke, a sob broke through.

I leaned against the doorframe, regarding her with a blank expression.

Behind her, Mia and Harper nudged each other forward.

Finally, Mia gathered the courage to take a step toward me, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Zoe, we're sorry. We messed up."

"We never should've doubted you. We... we completely lost our minds."

Harper nodded frantically beside her, teary-eyed.

"She's right, Zoe. Please, be the bigger person and don't hold it against us. We're truly at a dead end here."

The three of them stood there like convicted felons awaiting sentencing.

And I was the judge holding the gavel.

Unable to bear the crushing silence any longer, Chloe broke down completely.

She lunged forward, trying to grab my hand, but I cleanly sidestepped her touch.

My hands stayed by my sides, fingers cool, my gaze devoid of any warmth.

"Zoe, I'll apologize however you want! I'll get down on my knees if that's what it takes!"

"Please, just help us one more time. Just this once!"

Their frantic weeping and begging began drawing curious looks from girls passing by in the hallway.

I frowned, having no desire to turn this into a public spectacle.

I finally broke my silence, my voice quiet but sharp.

"The apartment is still available."

Hearing those words, a spark of desperate hope flared in their eyes.

Chloe's crying choked off, replaced by an expression of pure, shocked relief.

However, my next sentence froze them right where they stood.

I enunciated every single syllable slowly and distinctly.

"Only after the scene you pulled, my relative thinks you're unreliable. He's now demanding first month's rent plus a two-month security deposit before he'll sign."