The Queen of Thorns

At school, Sophie Lotus is adored by everyone, and Chloe is the disposable cannon fodder. When Chloe takes first place in the grade, Sophie's devoted admirers retaliate: Lucas Stone and his followers isolate her, trash her desk, shred her books, and corner her in an abandoned building where they carve a cruel word into her skin. Lucas watches it all coldly, then offers a bargain—if Chloe is obedient, the bullying will stop.

Chloe accepts, slipping into Lucas's apartment and into his bed, playing the docile rabbit while secretly studying the prize Sophie handed her. The overt cruelty fades, but Lucas transfers her to the worst class and keeps her as a toy. When she dares to celebrate his birthday, he chokes her, enraged by a taboo tied to his mother's death.

Yet Chloe does not flinch. She tells him his mother gave her life so he could be born, and that on this day she hopes he will be happier than anyone. The game between them is far from over.