With my ripped shirt hanging off me like I'd just survived a full-on battlefield, I walked through the mall feeling like a walking disaster.
My lip stung, my glasses were crooked, and my hair? Let's just say even a tornado would've asked for tips.
People stared.
Of course they did.
I probably looked like the "before" picture in a life lesson.
I barely noticed any of it.
All I could feel was the weight pressing down on my chest.
Then—
Warmth.
Something heavy and soft draped over my shoulders.
A suit jacket.
It swallowed me whole, carrying a faint, clean scent that instantly grounded me.
I looked up.
Ethan.
His jaw was tight, eyes dark.
Not loud anger.
Worse.
Quiet.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
He pulled me slightly behind him, one hand steady at my arm.
"Regina," he said calmly. "She always bothers you. You should fight back sometimes."
His voice was soft that it comforted me somehow.
But I wish he knew how hard it was to... try and defend yourself.
I smile softly.
"Yes, Ethan…" I said, almost too quickly. "You know, it's hard sometimes. Everyone watched and act like they don't care."
Ethan didn't smile. "They don't... But I do. And I get it, sometimes staying silent is not the best solution."
I looked at him, he's right, staying silent is not always the best solution.
He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine.
"If I ever see her touch you again," he said calmly, "she won't enjoy being life there anymore."
The words were simple.
But they landed hard.
I stood there, clutching the suit around me like it was the only thing holding me together.Ethan turned back to me immediately.
His expression changed.
Not soft exactly… But different.
His hands came up, gently steadying my shoulders. "Ayana."
His voice dropped.
Lower.
Quieter. "Look at me."
I blinked, slowly lifting my eyes to his.
His gaze searched my face—carefully, like he was checking for something he couldn't afford to miss.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
"I'm okay," I whispered, even though my voice betrayed me.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "You're shaking."
"I'm not—"
"You are."
His grip tightened just a little—not enough to hurt, but enough to ground me.
For a moment, he just looked at me.
Really looked.
Like he was memorizing every detail.
Then he exhaled.
"You need to learn how to defend yourself I will say it again," he said quietly.
I let out a weak sigh. "Yeah… I know. I know."
"No," he said, sharper this time. "Not 'you know.' You will."
I blinked at him. "…Okay, boss."
He ignored that.
Of course he did.
Instead, he reached for my hand.
Firm.
Steady.
And didn't let go.
We started walking.
His expression reset—back to that unreadable calm.
But his hand stayed wrapped around mine.
And somehow…
That said more than anything else.
"Maybe you should fight back next time," he said after a while, voice flat again.
I groaned. "Right. And then I get expelled and become a tragic legend."
He glanced at me briefly. "You already look like one."
"Wow. Supportive."
"You're welcome."
I rolled my eyes, adjusting my dress. "You know, some people would say 'you did great surviving.'"
"You didn't survive," he replied calmly. "You endured."
I paused. "…That sounded deep."
"It wasn't."
"Liar."
He didn't respond.
But I caught the tiniest shift at the corner of his lips.
We walked past stores, lights reflecting off polished floors.
Then I saw him.
Nathan.
Bright smile.
Big poster.
"Sweet Treats Available!"
My mood instantly flipped.
"Nathan!" I called, waving.
Ethan's hand tightened.
Just slightly.
I didn't notice at first.
Until He stopped walking.
Which meant I stopped too.
I turned. "Why did you—"
His hand slid from mine to my wrist.
Firm.
Unmoving.
"Don't go to him," he said quietly.
I frowned. "What?"
His eyes were locked ahead—on Nathan.
Sharp.
Focused.
"Ethan, let go," I said, trying to pull back.
He didn't.
Instead, he turned to me.
And this time He didn't look away.
His gaze met mine directly.
Serious.
Intense.
"Ayana," he said, voice lower than before. "Listen to me."
Something in my chest tightened.
"What?" I asked, softer now.
"He's not what you think."
I blinked. "He's… a baker."
Ethan didn't react.
"I'm serious," he said.
"And I'm serious too," I replied, pulling my arm slightly. "You're overreacting."
His grip loosened.
But didn't disappear.
"You don't understand," he said.
"Then explain," I shot back.
Silence.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes flickered—like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Then—
"Just trust me," he said.
I sighed loudly. "That's not an explanation."
"It's enough."
"For you, maybe."
He stared at me.
And for a second Something slipped through.
Frustration.
Concern.
Something deeper.
"Why won't you just listen?" he asked quietly.
The way he said it It wasn't angry.
It was… almost tired.
I hesitated.
Just a little.
Then I crossed my arms. "Because you're being dramatic."
That did it.
His expression shut down again.
"Fine," he said.
Cold.
Controlled.
"Go."
He stepped back.
But his eyes stayed on me.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then I turned.
Because of course I did.
I started walking toward Nathan.
Each step felt… heavier.
And I could feel it Ethan's gaze.
Still on me.
I turned slightly.
He was watching.
Not angry.
Not annoyed.
Just…
Focused.
Like he was waiting.
Like he already knew something I didn't.
I swallowed.
Then forced a smile and kept walking.
"Nathan!" I called.
He lit up instantly. "Hey! Ayana!"
"Your bakery looks amazing!" I said.
"Thanks! I was just—"
Suddenly A hand.
Back on my arm.
Stronger this time.
I flinched.
"Ethan—!"
"Don't," he said again.
Closer now.
His voice right near my ear.
Low.
Urgent.
I turned.
And this time We were really close.
His eyes locked onto mine.
No distance.
No distraction.
Just him.
"Ayana," he said, quieter now. "Last warning."
My heart skipped.
"Why?" I whispered.
He didn't answer immediately.
His gaze flicked to Nathan.
Then back to me.
And for a split second—
There was something in his eyes.
Not just concern.
Not just warning.
Something… protective.
Something that made my chest tighten.
"I don't want you getting hurt," he said finally.
Soft.
Honest.
Too honest.
I froze.
But then I shook my head.
"…It's just a bakery."
His expression fell.
Not dramatically.
Just… slightly.
"Okay," he said.
And this time He let go.
Completely.
I stepped forward.
Toward Nathan.
But even as I smiled Even as I spoke I could still feel it.
That look.
Burning quietly behind me.
Like a warning I chose to ignore.