Part 2: Exposed Truths

This chapter shows the complexity of these characters when they think no one’s watching. Nick and Roni’s genuine hand-holding reveals how their fake relationship has become real, while Alexander’s tutoring sessions show a side of him that’s kind and generous without any strategic benefit. The contrast between his public and private behavior makes Isabella’s feelings even more complicated—how do you trust someone whose family is actively working against you, even if that person might be fighting their own battles? Julian’s warning about “catching feelings for the enemy” is both protective and prophetic. Alexander’s admission that she’s the only one who sees his real self is incredibly vulnerable, but it also raises the question of whether what she’s seeing is genuine or just another, more sophisticated form of manipulation.