Liv sat quietly in the passenger seat, her heart in turmoil as she glanced over at Wiley. The journey from Bloomfield to Riverton Springs in the mountains was a familiar one, but today it felt different. Her feelings for Wiley had been growing steadily since they met during the summer, and the silent appreciation she held for him was becoming harder to keep to herself.
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Wiley focused on the road; his hands steady on the wheel. Every so often, he would turn and flash her a smile, making her heart skip a beat. She admired the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed, and the easy-going confidence he exuded. These were the small things she found cute about him, the things that made her feelings grow deeper.
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“Are you excited to see your mom?” Wiley asked, breaking the silence.
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Liv nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah, I’ve missed her a lot.”
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He smiled warmly. “I’m glad I could take you. It’s our little secret, right?”
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Liv’s heart swelled with emotion. This secret trip to see her mother had been something special they shared since they first met. It was a bond that brought them closer together, and for Liv, it meant so much more.
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She glanced out the window, the scenery changing as they ascended into the mountains. The drive was peaceful, giving her time to reflect on her feelings. She wanted to tell Wiley how she felt, but fear held her back. He was pursuing Auden, and the last thing she wanted was to complicate things between them.
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“Thanks for doing this, Wiley,” she said softly.
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He shrugged, a playful grin on his face. “Anything for you, Liv. You know that.”
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Her heart ached at his words, wishing he knew the depth of her feelings. But she kept them hidden, content to cherish these moments in silence.
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As they reached Riverton Springs, the air grew cooler, and the landscape turned more rugged. Wiley navigated the winding roads with ease, and soon they arrived at a secluded facility nestled in the woods. The sign outside read "Riverton Springs Mental Health Center."
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Liv's heart tightened as they pulled into the parking lot. Her mother had been held captive here on her father's orders, a secret that weighed heavily on her. She glanced at Wiley, who gave her a reassuring smile.
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“Ready?” he asked gently.
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Liv nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, let’s go.”
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They walked through the entrance, the sterile smell of the hospital hitting Liv's senses. The receptionist greeted them with a polite smile, and after a brief exchange, they were led to a private room where Liv's mother was waiting.
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Her mother looked up as they entered, her eyes lighting up with recognition. “Liv, my sweet girl,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
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Liv rushed to her mother’s side, embracing her tightly. “Mom, I’ve missed you so much.”
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Wiley stood back, giving them a moment. He watched the reunion with a mix of admiration and sadness, knowing the pain Liv carried with her.
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As they sat together, Liv’s mother reached out to Wiley. “Thank you for bringing her, Wiley. You’ve always been so kind.”
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Wiley smiled warmly. “It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Cuthbert.”
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The afternoon passed in a blur of conversation and shared memories. Liv watched Wiley interact with her mother, his genuine kindness and charm making her fall for him even more. But she also noticed the way he mentioned Auden, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about her.
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The realization hit Liv hard. Wiley didn’t see her the way she saw him. He was her friend, her confidant, but his heart belonged to someone else.
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But as the visit continued, she could sense a shift in her mother’s demeanor. There was something urgent she needed to say.
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“Wiley, would you mind giving us a moment alone?” Mrs. Cuthbert asked gently.
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Wiley nodded, understanding. “Of course. I’ll be right outside.”
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As soon as the door closed behind him, Liv’s mother leaned forward, her voice hushed. “Liv, listen to me carefully. There might be a way for me to get out of here.”
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Liv’s eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean, Mom?”
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Mrs. Cuthbert pulled out a society magazine from under her pillow, flipping it open to a page featuring Beatrice Burchart on the cover. “You need to find this woman, Beatrice Burchart. Tell her that Liana King is your mother and that I’m here, locked up falsely.”
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Liv stared at the magazine, her heart pounding. “Beatrice Burchart? How can she help?”
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“You just have to trust me, my sweet Olivia. You have find her. You have to try.” her mother pleaded, desperation in her eyes.
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Liv swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her mother’s request. “I’ll do it, Mom.”
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Mrs. Cuthbert squeezed her daughter’s hand, tears welling up. “Thank you, Liv. This might be our only chance.”
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As Liv and Wiley made their way back down the mountain later that evening, Liv’s mind was racing. She knew she had to find a way to meet Beatrice Burchart and plead her mother’s case. But the task ahead seemed daunting, and the thought of facing such a powerful figure was intimidating.
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Wiley glanced over at her, sensing her unease. “Everything okay, Liv?”
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She nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, just a lot on my mind.”
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He reached over and gently squeezed her hand. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
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Liv’s heart ached with unspoken words, but she kept her promise to her mother. “I know, Wiley. Thanks.”
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As they drove back to Bloomfield, Liv made a silent vow to herself. She would find Beatrice Burchart and do whatever it took to free her mother. The road ahead was uncertain, but she was determined to fight for her family.
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The drive was quiet, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the mountains. Liv stole glances at Wiley, appreciating the small things she found endearing about him—the way he focused on the road, the casual way he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. But there was a heaviness in her heart, a weight of unspoken emotions and the task that lay ahead.
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She thought about her mother’s plea, the desperation in her eyes, and the significance of the name "Liana King." It was a name she hadn’t heard in years, a name that carried weight and mystery. Beatrice Burchart held the key to her mother’s freedom, and Liv was determined to unlock it.
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As they descended the mountain, the landscape slowly transitioned back to familiar sights of Bloomfield. Liv’s anxiety grew with every passing mile, but she forced herself to focus on the mission. Wiley’s presence was a comfort, his steady demeanor and the silent support he always provided.
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“Thanks again for taking me, Wiley,” Liv said softly, breaking the silence.
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He glanced over at her, his eyes filled with warmth. “Of course, Liv. Anytime.”
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They reached Bloomfield as dusk settled over the town, casting long shadows across the streets. Wiley pulled up to the gates of the Cuthbert mansion, and they sat in the car for a moment, the engine quietly ticking as it cooled down. The imposing iron gates stood tall, a barrier between Liv and the world she had grown up in. The grandeur of the mansion always felt intimidating, but tonight it carried an extra weight.
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"Thanks for driving me, Wiley," Liv said softly, her voice breaking the silence.
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Wiley glanced over at her, offering a reassuring smile. "Of course, Liv. Anytime."
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They sat in silence for a few more moments, the reality of the day's revelations sinking in. Liv's mind raced with thoughts of her mother's plea, the desperation in her eyes, and the daunting task ahead of her. She knew she had to find Beatrice Burchart, but the path forward was unclear.
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Liv took a deep breath, glancing at Wiley. "You should probably go. I'll be okay."
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Wiley nodded, his expression serious. "Alright. But remember, if you need anything, I'm just a call away."
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Liv smiled, her heart heavy with unspoken words. "I know. Thank you, Wiley."
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As he drove away, Liv watched the car disappear down the long driveway, leaving her alone with her thoughts. The mansion loomed behind her, a reminder of the secrets and challenges that lay ahead.
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Liv took another deep breath and walked through the gates, her resolve strengthening with each step. She would find Beatrice Burchart and do whatever it took to free her mother. The road ahead was uncertain, but she was determined to fight for her family.
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Inside the mansion, the familiar sights and sounds greeted her, but everything felt different. The weight of her mother's words pressed down on her, and the urgency of her mission was ever-present in her mind.
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As Liv headed to her room, she made a silent vow to herself. She would be strong for her mother, to fight for her freedom, and to cherish the bond she shared with Wiley. Even if her feelings for him remained unspoken, she would hold onto the hope that one day, things might be different.
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The night was quiet, but Liv's mind was anything but. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, planning her next steps. Tomorrow, she would start her search for Beatrice Burchart. The journey ahead was filled with uncertainty, but Liv knew she had to try. For her mother, for herself, and for the future she hoped to build.
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The grand hall was alive with music and laughter as students entered, dressed in their finest attire for the Valentine Formal. I stood at the edge of the dance floor, my heart heavy with the weight of secrets and unspoken words. The memory of my kiss with Jae lingered, and the sight of Lizzie hanging around him, constantly locking her arm with his whenever the opportunity arose, sent a pang of pain through my chest.
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I glanced around the room, searching for familiar faces. Stasi and Clary were already mingling, their laughter blending with the music. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of impending conflict.
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As I moved through the crowd, I felt a hand on my arm. Turning, I saw Wiley smiling at me. “My gorgeous sister,” he said, twirling me around. "You certainly are stealing the spotlight tonight. No wonder Kat wanted to die over this dress."
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I rolled my eyes at his remark and shoved him by the shoulder. “Oh, come on, stop overreacting. You cleaned up pretty nicely too.”
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He glanced around the room. “Have you seen Liv? According to Lizzie, she was supposed to be here already.”
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I shook my head. “Not yet, but I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
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“What about Auden?” Wiley's eyes lit up. “I want to ask her for a dance.”
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I shook my head and growled in frustration. “At least you have someone to dance with tonight. I’ll probably be standing against the wall like a wallflower.”
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“Well, not if it’s up to me.” Before I could stop him, Wiley called Jae over. He eagerly made his way through the crowd in haste. “As my best friend, it’s your duty to dance with my sister tonight. It will save you from giving Lizzie any more ideas.”
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Jae flashed a quick smile, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of tension. “Sure thing, Wiley. I’d be honored.”
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Wiley grinned, giving Jae a playful shove towards me. “See, Kaye? No more wallflower nonsense.”
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As Jae and I made our way to the dance floor, I could feel Lizzie’s eyes burning into my back. The jealousy and irritation were palpable, and it only added to the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
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Jae took my hand gently, and we started to dance, the music providing a temporary escape from the chaos around us. For a few moments, it felt like it was just the two of us, caught in our own little world.
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“You look beautiful tonight, Kaye,” Jae said softly, his gaze intense.
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“Thanks,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “So do you.”
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We danced in silence for a while, the tension between us undeniable. I could feel the eyes of our classmates on us, whispering and speculating. And then there was Lizzie, who seemed to be watching our every move, her expression unreadable.
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As the song ended, Jae leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear. “I need to talk to you later. It’s important.”
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I nodded, my heart pounding. “Okay.”
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He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go, and I watched as he made his way back to Lizzie, who immediately latched onto his arm. The sight sent a wave of jealousy and frustration through me, but I tried to push it aside.
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As I made my way back to the edge of the dance floor, Stasi and Clary joined me, their expressions filled with curiosity.
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“What was that about?” Stasi asked, her eyes flicking to Jae and Lizzie.
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“Nothing,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just a dance.”
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Clary raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Sure, Kaye. Whatever you say.”
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I glanced around the room, feeling a sense of unease. The night was far from over, and I had a feeling that the real drama was just beginning. With Jae’s cryptic words lingering in my mind and Lizzie’s suspicious glares, I knew that the Valentine Formal would be a night to remember—for better or for worse.
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