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CHAPTER 239
~Valerie's POV~
Right after Xander left, I let out a long breath I didn't even know I'd been holding.
It had been a lot—his words, his honesty, his teasing—but more than anything, it was comforting.
A brief pause in the chaos that had become my life. No pressure or guilt. Just… presence.
With a slight shake of my head, I turned my focus back to the real world and made my way to the library.
I needed to come up with a few ideas for the group project—anything to keep my mind occupied.
Something productive, something that didn't involve soul bonds, emotional manipulation, or complicated kisses.
I flipped through reference texts, scribbled half-baked formulas and diagrams in my notebook, and tried not to replay every word Xander said in my head.
The time slipped by quickly, the bell rang, and I closed my books with a sigh.
