Scott's POV
“Your dad is my dad,” Adrian said smugly. “All that talk about being your cousin or nephew? Just lies to cover things up.”
I replied calmly, “I figured that out a long time ago.”
He froze, caught off guard.
My calmness clearly unsettled him. He looked a little surprised and a little annoyed.
Then he gave a slow grin. “There’s something else you probably didn’t know. I’ve actually been with Lovell for a while now. She told me in bed how much she loves me. Said I’m better than you, more exciting. As for you? You’re like a block of wood. Completely useless outside of books. If we hadn’t needed you to swap identities, she would’ve dumped you ages ago.”
Still, I said nothing.
But under the table, my hands were clenched so tightly the veins popped out. My fingernails dug into my palms so hard that they broke skin. Soon, blood began to seep out.
Adrian stood up and stretched lazily. “Go on, keep pretending you don’t care. You won’t be able to keep it up for much longer. Oh, and I actually came here today to deliver you a little gift. Back when I was running with a gang, I pissed off some nasty people. Word is, they’ve just been locked up too. And guess what? When they heard ‘Adrian’ was also in this facility, they paid and pulled strings to make sure they’d be assigned to your cell.”
My whole body stiffened at that.
I could handle prison life—the early mornings, bland food, the monotonous routine. I’d been living like that for years while studying.
But bullying? That was my breaking point.
I’d already suffered enough, and now a gang of enemies was being purposely thrown in with me?
What was I supposed to do?
That flicker of panic in my expression finally gave Adrian the reaction he wanted.
Only then did he smile in satisfaction and say, “Hang in there, okay? Let’s hope you make it till your release date.”
“Well, I’ve got a party to attend,” he said, turning to leave. “A few rich folks want to introduce me to their daughters. I mean, who can blame them? I’ve got the grades, the looks, and now the fame.”
He sighed dramatically. “You’re lucky, really. Peace and quiet in prison. Out here, life is so stressful.”
With that, Adrian walked out.
I returned to my cell with a heavy heart, and just as he mentioned, new inmates had arrived.
From that day on, I was given special treatment every single day.
I gritted my teeth and endured it.
Because I knew something they didn’t. I wouldn’t be in here for long.
Sure enough, just a week later, my dad and Lovell came to visit.
The moment I stepped into the visiting room, they grabbed my arm in a panic.
“Hurry!” they said. “You and Adrian need to switch identities back. We’ve lined up a reporter. You’ll make a public statement, and we’ll testify for you. You’re the real top scorer, Scott! Let him take your place in prison. You’re getting out!”
I stared at them and let out a quiet laugh. “That’s strange,” I said. “I’m the criminal, Adrian. Why should my model student cousin, Scott, take the fall for me?”
