The drive home was quiet. Lucy hummed softly in the back seat, unaware of the storm brewing beside her. Jenn didn't say a word all the way—her eyes fixed on the window, her mind tangled in a hundred questions she didn't dare to ask.
He used me? she thought, her fingers tightening around her bag. And then said he loves me?
By the time they reached the mansion, Jenn's chest felt like it would burst. The moment the car stopped, she got out without waiting for Lucy and rushed into her room, shutting the door hard enough to startle one of the maids.
Lucy stood in the hall, puzzled. She didn't understand why Jenn was so quiet or why her brother hadn't come out of his room since morning.
Minutes later, Alden came downstairs. He'd been looking for both of them. When he saw Lucy alone, he frowned.
"Where's Jenn?"
"In her room," Lucy said softly, glancing toward the stairs.
Alden nodded and went up. He hesitated for a second at Jenn's door before knocking gently.
"Jenn, can I come in?"
Her voice was tight. "Yes."
He stepped in carefully. Jenn was sitting on her bed, her hands clasped together, her face pale from anger and exhaustion.
"What happened?" Alden asked, concern filling his tone.
Jenn took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "Lucy… she told Jeff. She told him about what happened. About us."
Alden's eyes widened slightly. "She what?"
Jenn nodded. "You have no idea how embarrassed I was. Jeff was shocked—he just stared at me like I'd betrayed him. And Lucy kept talking like it was nothing."
Alden sat beside her, his voice calm but firm. "Jenn, I'm sorry. She didn't mean any harm. Lucy's just… outspoken sometimes."
Jenn turned sharply toward him. "Outspoken? Alden, she told him everything!" Her voice cracked. "Do you know what that means? Now he will think—"
"Hey, hey," Alden said quickly, reaching for her hand. "Calm down, please. I'll handle it."
But Jenn pulled her hand back. "Just go, Alden. Please."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Alden sighed softly, nodded, and left.
When he got downstairs, he called for Lucy. She came running, still holding the doll she had been playing with.
"Lucy," he said sternly, "why did you tell Jeff about what happened between me and Jenn?"
Lucy blinked. "I didn't mean to. I was talking and I told him you were in love. I thought—"
"Lucy," Alden cut her off gently, kneeling so they were at eye level. "Sometimes, saying too much can hurt people. Being smart is good, but knowing when to speak is even better. Do you understand?"
Her eyes grew wet. She nodded quietly, biting her lip. "I'm sorry, Alden."
"I know," he said, brushing a hand through her hair. "Now go rest."
Lucy ambled to her room, her heart heavy. For the first time, she didn't feel clever, she just felt small.
⸻
The next morning, the mansion felt emptier than ever.
Mr. and Mrs. Gates had left early for a short trip, and Lucy went with them. The silence that followed was strange, almost echoing through the halls.
Jenn sat at the dining table, absentmindedly stirring her tea. Alden sat opposite her, watching her with quiet worry. But Jenn barely met his eyes.
When she finally left for school, Alden leaned back in his chair, sighing. What's going on with her?
At school, Jenn did everything she could to avoid Jeff. She changed her route, skipped the cafeteria, and ignored his calls. Every time she saw him from a distance, she turned away, afraid to face the truth she'd overheard.
Jeff noticed. Of course he did. He saw the way she avoided his gaze, the way she pretended not to hear him calling. He thought of what could be wrong with her but of course he can't think of one.
By afternoon, Alden couldn't take it anymore. When he saw Jenn sitting alone behind the lab building, he walked over slowly.
"Jenn," he said softly.
She didn't look up.
"You've been avoiding Jeff, I noticed," he said. "And me too. What's going on?"
"I don't want to talk about it," she replied coldly.
Alden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You can't keep everything inside, Jenn. If something's wrong, let me help."
She looked at him finally, eyes tired and distant. "Alden, some things are better left unsaid."
He nodded slowly, even though he didn't understand. But deep down, he knew whatever was coming next was going to change everything.
The wind rustled the trees softly around them, as if carrying a whisper of what was yet to come.
And somewhere in that silence, the story of three tangled hearts moved one step closer to breaking.
_____
Jeff stood by the window of his room, watching the quiet street below. The world looked normal but nothing felt normal to him anymore.
Ever since he got discharged from the hospital, Jenn hadn't called. Not even a message. He tried reaching her, but she didn't reply. Even though he saw her at school, she turned away like he didn't exist.
He rubbed his chest lightly. It wasn't pain from the wound, it was something deeper. Something he couldn't explain.
The door opened, and Carlos walked in casually, munching on an apple. "Still staring into space?" he teased.
Jeff didn't even smile. "She's avoiding me, Carlos. I'm sure of it."
Carlos leaned against the wall, watching him. "Jenn?"
Jeff nodded slowly. "She won't talk to me. Saw her at school but she walked away like I was some stranger. I don't understand."
Carlos raised a brow. "Maybe she's just busy. You know how girls can be—"
"No." Jeff cut him off. "This feels different. Something's wrong. I can feel it."
Carlos tossed the apple core into the trash. "Did something happen before you left the hospital?"
Jeff hesitated, staring at the floor. "Well… I did talk a lot to myself that day after you left. I was angry and confused. Maybe I said something out loud."
Carlos squinted. "Like what?"
Jeff sighed. "Like… about how this whole thing started. About how I planned to use her to get back at Alden."
Carlos froze for a second, then groaned. "Jeff, tell me you didn't say that out loud."
"I didn't mean it, Carlos!" Jeff snapped, his voice tight. "I was frustrated, okay? I was just thinking about everything — about how I never should've dragged her into this mess. I didn't mean for her to get hurt!"
Carlos rubbed the back of his neck. "Then maybe she heard you, man. That would explain why she's acting distant."
Jeff shook his head. "No… she wasn't even there. She left earlier with Lucy."
Carlos sighed deeply. "Still, something must've gotten to her. Either way, you've got to fix this. You can't let her drift away like this if you really care about her."
Jeff sank into a chair, running his hands through his hair. "Care?" he muttered. "Carlos, I'm in love with her. I didn't even realize it until I thought I was losing her."
Carlos' eyes softened. "Then stop talking to me and go tell her that."
Jeff looked up, hesitant. "And what if she doesn't feel the same?"
Carlos smirked faintly. "Then at least you'll know you tried. But hiding won't change anything."
Jeff stayed quiet for a moment, then finally stood up. "You're right. I'll definitely talk to her but tomorrow ."
"I hope it works out," he thought, deep in worry