Where My Heart Was Hidden novel Chapter 1

The juiciest scandal of the year at Kaverton University was the leaked sex tape of Elizabeth Fisher from the Art Department.

The video had been filmed in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel.

Elizabeth was completely naked, pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window by a man a full head taller than her. The sounds of their bodies moving in sync echoed steadily through the room.

When they finished, the man leaned close to her ear and murmured, "Good girl."

That phrase hit the group chat like a bomb, sending shockwaves across campus.

"That voice… No way! Is that Daniel?"

"Elizabeth's got serious game if she landed one of the university's board members. No wonder all the girls who used to bully her suddenly shut up."

"I always thought Elizabeth was some innocent girl. Turns out she's a calculating bitch—like mother, like daughter."

When the news reached Elizabeth, she was in her dorm, knitting a scarf for Daniel Woolridge.

Her roommate blasted the video at full volume, passing the phone around with a mocking grin.

She stretched her voice in exaggerated glee. "Elizabeth, you're moaning like a pro. How much practice have you had?"

Laughter exploded around the room.

Elizabeth froze, her face draining of color. The half-finished scarf slipped from her hands as she bolted out the door.

She stumbled to Daniel's office, desperate to confront him, to ask what was going on.

But just as she reached the door, she heard a voice inside—sarcastic and biting.

"Daniel, you didn't leave Elizabeth a shred of dignity, huh? You made sure her face was crystal clear in the video. She doesn't even have a chance to deny it."

Elizabeth's mind went blank. A deafening roar filled her ears as cold dread swept through her body.

"She brought it on herself. Messing with the woman Daniel loves most? She got what she deserved."

"Yeah, poor Daniel. Not only did he have to spread rumors about Elizabeth's mom being a homewrecker, but he also had to play the hero, pretending to protect her from bullies and acting like he was madly in love."

"By the way, Daniel, when are you planning to tell her the truth? If she finds out the guy she's been in love with is actually her future brother-in-law, she's going to pass out on the spot!"

Daniel lounged on the couch, looking utterly at ease, a cigarette dangling between his fingers as he tapped the ashes into the tray. His face was unreadable behind a thin haze of smoke.

Noticing the silence, one of his friends quickly added, "Feeling sorry for her? Don't forget that she went all out to get Cheryl exiled abroad for two whole years. Do you think we should just let her off the hook after that? Cheryl was starving and freezing out there!"

At the mention of Cheryl Fisher, Daniel finally stirred.

He stubbed out the cigarette and said calmly, "We'll wait until Cheryl's back. That day also happens to be a special anniversary that Elizabeth has been looking forward to. I'll give her a little 'surprise.' She'll pay back everything she owes Cheryl."

Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat.

Through the smoke, her eyes locked onto Daniel's cold, sharp profile. Something inside her cracked wide open. The pain in her chest nearly knocked her off her feet.

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