Chapter 4 New Walls, Same Prison

College.

It was supposed to be freedom.

I planned it that way, took a gap year to be closer to my mom, to hold on to home a little longer before diving into the next phase of life. I was going to live fully, breathe deeply, and walk into college on my own terms.

But those plans died with my family.

Now, instead of excitement, all I feel is this gnawing ache in my chest. And instead of walking into my future, I'm being delivered into it like a package Marcelo Dominique owns.

The sleek black car rolled through the gates of the campus, guarded and cold, like my life now.

Two armed men flanked me-Marcelo's shadows. Always watching. Always reminding me of what I am: his.

The college itself was beautiful-huge brick buildings, green lawns, laughter in the distance. Some students lounged on the grass with books in their laps; others walked in pairs, laughing like the world had never been cruel to them.

I almost envied them.

As I reached for the door handle, one of the men stopped me with a firm hand.

"Don't do anything stupid," he said, his voice low and commanding.

I sighed and rolled my eyes so hard they almost fell out of my head. "I'm trying to get out of the car, not rob a bank."

"Boss said we're to monitor everything," he replied, his tone softening. There was something like pity in his eyes, and that pissed me off more than his grip.

I don't need sympathy. I need freedom.

I shoved the door open and stepped out. As if on cue, every head turned.

Of course. Nothing says new girl like arriving with two bodyguards. I felt the weight of their stares, the whispers that followed like ghosts trailing behind me.

Let them wonder. I was used to the stares.

We walked toward the administration building, heels clicking against the pavement, my back straight despite the anxiety coiling in my stomach.

Inside, a sleek woman with a sharp bob and crimson lipstick stood behind the counter. She glanced up and smiled brightly.

"Lucía Rodrigues?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

I nodded cautiously.

"You're in luck. Your first class starts in fifteen, and since you're new, we've arranged someone to show you around."

I blinked. "Do you do this for every student, or just the ones with an entourage?"

She laughed. "Only the special ones." She winked as she handed me a folded schedule.

I could practically smell Marcelo's influence oozing through the walls. He had arranged all this. Of course he had.

A tall girl with long golden waves and emerald green eyes entered the room just then, giving the receptionist a sunny smile.

"Hey Paula! Busy as always?"

Paula ignored the pleasantries. "She's yours today. Guide her well, Sophie," she said, gesturing to me like I was a lost child in need of supervision. Or custody.

Custody. Yeah, that about sums it up.

Sophie turned to me, smiling so brightly I almost hissed.

"Wait up!" she called, jogging after me as I stalked out of the office.

She matched my stride quickly. I realized we were about the same height-a rarity, since I was taller than most girls. But Marcelo's towering presence had warped my perspective.

Up close, Sophie was stunning. Perfectly arched brows, long lashes, glowing skin, and a confidence that practically sparkled in the daylight. She had that effortless kind of beauty-the kind that belonged in magazines, or at the very least, the popular table in every teen movie.

"This way, newbie," she grinned, grabbing my arm and pulling me gently in another direction. Her touch was warm.

I nodded slightly, unsure how to respond to her bubbly energy.

We reached a large lecture hall-our first class. I turned to my loyal shadows.

"You guys taking this class too?" I asked with a sarcastic tilt of my head.

"No, we'll be nearby," one said, completely serious.

I rolled my eyes again. "Try not to fall asleep on the grass."

Behind me, Sophie chuckled. "You sure do roll your eyes a lot."

"Comes with being a prisoner," I muttered, walking into the hall without waiting for a reaction.

I moved toward the middle row and claimed a seat. When I glanced back, Sophie wasn't following me. A small relief. I needed a moment to just exist without someone chirping next to me.

The professor walked in shortly after, scrawled his name across the whiteboard, and launched into the typical Day-One speech: introductions, grading scale, projects. My brain drifted almost instantly.

But then-a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around, and my breath caught.

Grey eyes stared back at me-clear and intense, like storm clouds about to break.

A guy with tousled dark curls and a slow, easy smile. He was beautiful in a quiet, disarming way. Like he didn't have to try. Like he already knew he'd caught your attention.

"Hello, Ms. Mysterious," he said, voice calm and smooth like warm honey.

"Hi," I said, my voice softer than I expected.

"I'm Ben. And you are?"

"Lucía."

"Pretty name for a pretty face," he said with a smile that revealed dimples.

I raised a brow. "Do you flirt with every girl like this?"

He grinned. "Nah. Just the gorgeous ones who look like they've been through hell and still walk in like queens."

My cheeks heated. I hated that I blushed.

But it felt... nice.

"If we get to pick partners for that project, wanna team up?" he asked.

"I'll think about it," I replied, turning back to the front with a half-smile.

I barely registered the rest of the lecture, and when it finally ended, I gathered my things quickly.

But Ben stopped me again before I reached the door.

He handed me a folded slip of paper. "In case you do make up your mind."

He winked, then walked away.

I opened the note. A phone number, scrawled beneath a doodled smiley face.

I couldn't help it-I smiled.

Just a little. Just enough.

Maybe college wouldn't be what I planned.

But maybe, just maybe, it didn't have to be all bad.