Jenn sat on her bed, fingers tracing the edge of her phone. Her thumb hovered over Jeff's contact. She'd been staring at the screen for almost ten minutes — debating, hesitating.
Should I call him? Should I hear him out?
Lucy's words echoed softly in her mind: "Maybe you should just… listen before deciding."
Jenn sighed and placed the phone on her lap. Her heart still ached whenever she thought of Jeff — the boy who once made her feel safe, yet now left her torn between trust and pain.
A soft knock came on her door.
"Come in," she said absentmindedly.
Alden stepped in, wearing a calm smile. "I was hoping you hadn't gone to bed yet."
Jenn looked up, surprised. "Alden? It's late."
"I know," he said, walking closer. "But I noticed you didn't come out for dinner again. Thought maybe you needed some company."
Jenn hesitated, unsure. "I'm fine, really—"
"Jenn," Alden interrupted gently, "you've been saying that a lot lately. But you don't look fine."
Something in his tone — soft but sincere — broke through the wall she'd built. She sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "It's just been… a lot."
He smiled faintly. "Then let's get away from it for a bit."
"Get away?"
"Yeah," he said, reaching for her hand. "Come with me."
Jenn blinked. "Now?"
Alden only grinned. "Now."
And somehow, she didn't say no.
⸻
The night air outside was cool and gentle, brushing against her skin as they walked through the quiet estate. The moon hung low, glowing faintly behind drifting clouds.
"Where are we going?" Jenn asked.
Alden chuckled. "You'll see."
They walked for several minutes until they reached a quiet open field behind the garden — a place surrounded by tall trees and glowing fireflies. A soft stream whispered nearby, reflecting the silver light of the moon.
Jenn's eyes widened. "This is… beautiful."
"I come here whenever I need to breathe," Alden said, watching her with a soft smile. "No noise, no pressure. Just peace."
Jenn sat down on the grass, her heart lighter than it had felt in days. "It's perfect."
They talked for a long time — about life, about how everything had gotten complicated lately. Alden listened carefully, sometimes teasing her to make her laugh, sometimes just letting her be silent.
And for once, Jenn laughed — really laughed.
When the breeze brushed through her hair, Alden's gaze lingered. "You look happier now," he said quietly.
Jenn blushed. "Maybe it's because you dragged me out here."
He smiled. "Then I'm glad I did."
Their eyes met — and for a long second, the world seemed to still. Jenn could feel her pulse quicken, her chest tighten. Alden reached forward slowly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Jenn…" he whispered.
Her breath caught. She didn't move.
And then, without another word, he leaned closer — their lips met, soft and hesitant at first, then deeper, warmer.
Jenn's heart raced. It wasn't like before — it was different, slower, filled with confusion and emotion she couldn't explain. When they finally pulled apart, both were silent, catching their breath.
Alden's eyes searched hers. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "I shouldn't have—"
Jenn shook her head slightly. "Don't."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward — it was heavy, full of things neither of them could yet say.
⸻
When they returned to the mansion, the lights were dim. Jenn thought everyone would be asleep — but as they walked through the hall, she noticed two shadows at the staircase.
Jovi and Jovan peeked from the corner, eyes wide like curious cats.
"Were they just holding hands?" Jovan whispered.
"I think so," Jovi murmured back. "Whoa."
Jenn didn't notice — but Alden did. He gave them a knowing look that made them scamper upstairs in silent laughter.
⸻
Later that night, Jenn changed into her pajamas, still feeling the echo of the kiss , the warmth that refused to fade. She sat by her window, her heart torn between comfort and guilt.
Another soft knock.
This time, it was Lucy.
"Hey, sweetheart," Jenn said softly. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"
Lucy climbed onto her bed, smiling sleepily. "I saw you smiling earlier. You looked happy."
Jenn smiled back faintly. "I guess… I was."
Lucy hugged her teddy bear. "Alden makes you smile, huh?"
Jenn blinked. "Lucy—"
"It's okay," Lucy said quickly. "I like when you smile. You've been sad too long."
Jenn's heart melted. She hugged Lucy close. "You always know what to say."
"I just want everyone to be happy," Lucy said with a yawn. "Even Jeff. But… maybe you should be happy first."
Jenn smiled. "Maybe you're right."
When Lucy finally fell asleep beside her, Jenn stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
She knew she couldn't hide from the truth much longer.
The next morning, Jenn walked out of the house with Alden. He insisted on dropping her at school and somehow, it felt normal. They talked, they laughed, they shared coffee from the same cup.
"Thanks for the ride," Jenn said, giving him a faint smile.
Alden smiled back. "You don't have to thank me for that. I just wanted to make sure you got here smiling."
Jenn looked down, her heart skipping a beat. "You really have a way with words."
He grinned. "And you have a way of making them worth saying."
She laughed quietly, shaking her head as they walked toward the gate together. It was the first time in a long while she felt light not completely healed, but better.
And standing a few feet away, Jeff saw everything.
His heart sank.
Jenn's peace shattered the moment she heard her name.
"Jenn."
Her heart jumped. Slowly, she turned and there he was.
Jeff.
Standing a few feet away, hands shoved deep into his pockets, his eyes darker than she'd ever seen them.
Alden stared and Jenn forced a smile"I'd be okay," she murmured.Alden nodded before finally stepping back a little bit away from them.
She took a step forward. "Jeff, I—"
"Why didn't you reply?" Jeff interrupted, his voice low but trembling. "I've been calling you for two days."
"I know," Jenn said softly. "I just… needed time."
Jeff's jaw tightened. "And you spent that time with him?"
Her breath caught. "Jeff—"
He let out a short, bitter laugh. "I saw you, Jenn. With Alden. He drove you here, he opened the door for you and you were smiling. Do you have any idea how that felt?"
Jenn blinked rapidly, her throat tightening. "You don't get to be jealous, Jeff. Not after everything."
"Jealous?" he snapped, eyes flashing. "Jenn, I'm not jealous — I'm hurting! I know what you did was wrong , but I never stopped caring about you!"
Her voice cracked. "Then why did you lie to me?"
Jeff froze. "What?"
Jenn's eyes glistened. "Don't play dumb. I heard you, Jeff. That day at the hospital, I heard everything. About the plan. About how you were just using me to get to Alden."
Jeff's face drained of color. "Jenn… you heard that?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "You made me believe everything between us was real. That I meant something."
"You do mean something!" Jeff's voice broke. "Jenn, please, listen— yes, it started as a plan, but I swear to you, it stopped being that a long time ago. I fell in love with you — that's the truth."
Jenn shook her head, stepping back. "How do I believe that now? How do I trust someone who saw me as part of a game?"
"Because I'm not that person anymore!" he said, voice raw. "Jenn, I've been trying to fix what I broke. I'm not asking you to forgive me now, I just need you to know that I'm sorry. For everything."
Silence hung between them, thick and painful.
Jenn's lips trembled. "You don't get to say sorry and make it all disappear."
"I know," Jeff said quietly. "But I'd say it a thousand times if it means you'll look at me the way you used to."
Jenn turned away, tears spilling freely now. "I can't do this, Jeff. I can't keep choosing someone who keeps breaking me."
Jeff took a step closer, his voice trembling. "Then who are you choosing, Jenn? Him?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could answer—
"Back off, Jeff," Alden's voice cut in sharply.
Both of them turned. Alden stood a few feet away, his tone calm but his eyes cold. "You've said enough."
Jeff glared. "This isn't your business."
"It became my business the moment you made her cry," Alden shot back.
Jenn's heart pounded, torn between both of them.
Jeff's fists clenched. "You think you can just walk in and take her from me?"
"I don't have to take what you already lost," Alden replied coolly.
Jenn's breath hitched. "Stop it, both of you."
But neither moved. For a long, burning moment, it felt like the world stood still — two hearts colliding, one caught in between.
Then Jenn stepped back, her voice breaking. "Please… just stop."
Alden turned to her, his expression softening instantly. "Jenn—"
"I need to be alone," she whispered.
And before either of them could say another word, Jenn walked away, her steps quick, her tears hot. She didn't look back.
Behind her, Jeff stood frozen, guilt flooding his face.
Alden's jaw tightened as he watched Jenn disappear through the hallway.
And somewhere deep inside both of them — love, pride, and pain began to twist into something neither could control.