As the party was winding down, Jeffrey slid onto the couch beside me, his thigh pressing against mine. "How was it? Did you have a good time?" he asked, his voice soft.

He sat so close I could smell his cologne, making me blush. "I had fun."


"I'm glad." He leaned in closer, his eyes darkening.

I looked up at him, my pulse quickening.

"Lucy, your eyes are beautiful."


His voice dropped to a whisper, his breath warm on my face, making it difficult to think straight.

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against mine. Instead of the electric current I expected, something felt... off. I suddenly came to my senses and instinctively pulled back, avoiding his kiss.


Jeffrey looked slightly surprised, then smiled and whispered, "There's an empty bedroom next door. Shall we continue this somewhere more private, Lucy?"

An empty bedroom? Just the two of us? I glanced at the door he was nodding toward, my stomach knotting.

A bed... what did he want? To sleep with me?

At this thought, I instinctively pushed him away and jumped to my feet. "It's getting late. I should head back to my dorm." I was flustered, words tumbling out. "Um, well... anyway... I had a great time, thank you—"

"I'll walk you—" Jeffrey stood up, reaching for my arm.

I shook my head frantically, backing away. "No, no, that's not necessary. I'll go by myself."

With that, I practically bolted from the apartment.

Once outside, the cool night air hit my face, gradually clearing my head. It was late, the streets nearly empty, the streetlights casting eerie pools of light on the sidewalk.

I suddenly felt pathetic. When Jeffrey suggested going to the bedroom, the first person I thought of was—

Kane? I froze mid-step. There he was, standing ahead: Kane in a dark hoodie, arms crossed, leaning against a wall, the streetlight casting dramatic shadows across his stupidly handsome face.

It had been a long time since I'd looked at Kane without anger clouding my vision. Growing up, every time we met, we'd argue non-stop, so I rarely had the chance to just... see him like this.

Indeed, he was still so annoying. That familiar tousled blonde hair, those ridiculously long eyelashes, those intense amber eyes, those lips that I now knew the taste of...

Kane spotted me and pushed off the wall. "Well, I was about to go in and drag you out if you didn't emerge soon."

"Huh? What's your problem?"

Kane stalked toward me. "My mom called me the other day, specifically telling me to look out for you."

I shoved at his chest. "I'm an adult. I don't need your protection."

Kane caught my wrist, his grip firm. "What? You really want to sleep with Jeffrey?"

"None of your business! I'll sleep with anyone but you!"

"What's wrong with me?"

I was taken aback by the genuine question in his voice.

Kane also seemed startled by his own words, quickly adding: "That's—that's not the point. Do you know what kind of person Jeffrey really is? Why are you so eager to throw yourself at him?"

"I know exactly what kind of person Jeffrey is! He's more gentle than you, more attentive than you, and treats me better than you ever did!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

"Fine, fine, fine." Kane released me with a disgusted look. "Then go back now, go sleep with him—"

The crack of my palm against his cheek echoed in the quiet street as I slapped him hard.

Kane's head snapped to the side, his eyes wide with shock. "You—"

I gritted my teeth, fighting back tears, glaring fiercely at Kane. "Kane Lyons, stop hovering around me. I feel sick just looking at you."

Kane's face instantly drained of color, something raw and wounded flashing in his eyes.

After a moment, his expression hardened. "Fine. I won't appear in front of you again."

With that, he turned and walked away, his shoulders rigid, not looking back once.

I watched his retreating figure, an unexpected ache blooming in my chest. I suddenly regretted my cruel words.

But Kane Lyons was supposed to be the person I hated most... wasn't he?