The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 529

“Ben!” I object, turning to glare at him, kind of not believing that he’s pushing Daphne to face her feelings for Rafe so bluntly.

“I mean, it’s true,” Ben says, turning to me.

“Daphne is allowed to make her own decisions on her own time!”

“Agreed,” Ben says, nodding and looking between us. “Until…well, until it gets unfair to Rafe. I mean, he’s…he’s pretty gone on you, Daphne. And trying really, really hard to be your boyfriend. If you don’t want that…”

He pauses, and shrugs.

Daphne takes a deep breath and lets it out, heavy. “I have to tell him.”

“Daphne,” I say, my heart breaking a little for her, shaking my head. “Don’t let Ben push you into things if you’re not ready –“

“No, he’s right,” she says, straightening her shoulders. “I’m…I’m just being a coward. And cruel. Rafe has been so good to me and…I have to be fair.”

“Okay,” Ben says, nodding.

We’re all quiet again for a long moment as my mouth pops open – as I realize that…what started out as a chocolate run has ended up in a plan to dump by brother.

“Bottoms up, chickens,” Daphne says, quickly raising her glass to her mouth and emptying it before she gets determinedly to her feet.

“Wait,” I say, going still, clinging to her hand. “Is this…is this happening right now!?”

“I think it has to, Ari,” Daphne says, squeezing my hand and looking down at me. “While I’m determined and courageous enough to do it? I think it has to. Now that I know in my heart that I don’t feel the same way about him…dragging it out would just be cruel.”

I stare at her for a second before looking down at my mug of wine in shock.

And then I, too, raise it to my lips and drain it, thinking that I’m going to need a bit of courage as well.

I just shake my head, a little scared to say anything, and give Daphne’s hand one final squeeze before starting across the room. My heart aches, suddenly, my allegiances torn – because as much as I want to feel supportive of Daphne – she’s about to break my brother’s heart! And I can’t do anything about it.

Feeling the sudden surge of my emotions, Jackson whips his head up and towards me, frowning fiercely.

“Give it a second,” Luca murmurs, reaching out and tapping Jacks on the arm. Jackson pauses, looking down at Luca’s fingers as I move to the couch, sitting down next to Ben with a sigh. We all sit quietly as Daphne and Rafe move out of the room, going who knows where, and closing the door behind them.

After a long moment, Jesse breaks the long silence. “So…this isn’t just about chocolate, is it?”

“All right!” Luca says, snapping his book shut and looking significantly at Jackson and Ben. “I think it’s time for us non-Sinclairs to clear out.”

“What’s happening?” Jackson murmurs, looking around at all of us, baffled.

“Just…let’s go, Jacks,” Luca sighs, shaking his head. Ben gets up again, even though he just sat down, gathering this things as I curl into the pillows of the couch.