เข้าสู่ระบบMary looked at me for a long, silent second. She took another bite of her food, her sharp eyes never leaving mine as she chewed. The moment she swallowed, she spoke again, her words slow and etched with heavy skepticism. "I don't want what has happened to weigh you too far down." "I'm fine," I repeated, my voice steady. But she didn't stop watching me, her eyes searching the micro-expressions on my face for the truth. I smiled again, giving her a firm, reassuring nod. "I'm fine." The words were meant to convince her, but deep down, they were a desperate attempt to reassure myself that I would be. After a few more tense seconds, Mary finally lowered her gaze and continued eating. I did the same. With the tension broken, the conversation slowly drifted away from the stolen vehicle, shifting into lighter topics about schoolwork and upcoming projects. Shortly after, we finished our meals. I rose from my seat first, and Mary followed, both of us carrying our bags back toward the
Professor Wilson paced slowly back and forth across the elevated podium, his voice projecting clearly as he dived into the complexities of the day's topic. Soon, the rhythmic scratching of pens over paper and the muted clatter of laptop keys filled the air.Rows of eyes moved back and forth from their computer screens to the brightly projected diagrams on the white wall above the professor's head.An hour passed in what felt like a blink.I only realized the time had evaporated when the professor stepped toward the console, resting his hand on the projector controls before clicking it off."See you in the next class," he announced, gathering his notes."Thank you!" a chorus of students echoed in unison.The entire hall erupted into a cacophony of noise. People stood up, the folding tablet arms of the chairs snapping back into place with a collective, rattling clatter.Professor Wilson packed his briefcase and walked out, blending seamlessly into the dense crowd of students exiting thr
Moments later, the sedan glided smoothly through the busier roads of the main campus. Outside my window, the university was teeming with life— staff members in sharp blazers and students with backpacks slung over their shoulders and backs hurrying along the concrete walkways, entirely absorbed in their own daily routines. The driver made a crisp right turn, the tires humming against the asphalt. A minute later, the familiar modern glass-and-brick facade of my faculty buildings materialized in the distance. The car slowed to a halt directly in front of the main entrance where my lecture was scheduled. My phone rested in my palms, which were locked over my lap. My thumbs danced across the screen, pulling up the ride-share app to settle the fare. Within seconds, a satisfying green verification checkmark flashed across the display, confirming that Apple Pay had successfully processed the transaction. "I’ve made the payment," I said, raising my eyes from the screen to address the driver
I hit send, shoved the phone away, and turned back to lock my bedroom door with a sharp click.Then I walked down the corridor and stopped in front of the master bedroom.I raised my knuckles and knocked once."Yes. Come in," Tony’s deep voice vibrated through the heavy wood.I pushed the door open, my gaze immediately settling on him.Tony was sitting casually on the edge of the unmade king-sized bed, wearing nothing but the silk pants of his dark pajamas.His broad, muscular chest was bare, and his eyes slowly lifted from his phone screen to lock directly onto mine.Behind him, Lily was lounging back against the pillows.Her long fingers were moving in slow, rhythmic circles against the bare skin of his lower back."I'm heading to class," I said, stepping just an inch past the threshold, my voice tight."My babysitter is running late. I want to keep my room key with you. Please help me give it to her when she gets here."My eyes darted nervously between Tony's face and Lily’s cold
AVAOne Week LaterThe Glass Penthouse— 8AMI stood frozen in front of the expansive bathroom mirror, my hands gripping the cool porcelain edge of the marble sink as I stared at my own reflection.I was completely dressed.The light makeup on my face was blended so seamlessly into my skin tone that it looked practically nonexistent, a subtle cover hiding the exhaustion underneath.The baggy blue button-down shirt I wore felt light against my skin, fitting my frame perfectly but doing little to comfort me.My eyes flickered downward to my wrist.The hands of my watch showed a few minutes past eight o’clock.I still had time.My first class wasn't until nine.Yet, a tightening ache seized me deep in my lower belly, one that had nothing to do with the time.It had been over three weeks since my car had been stolen from the library lot. Three weeks of absolute silence. And now, I had begun to completely lose hope of ever recovering it.But what truly paralyzed me was him.Tony.For twenty
Tony’s expression remained distant, his eyes darkening slightly at the mention of all that had happened since he met Ava."Trust me. I've thought about that a few times.""You should be careful around her," Jerry continued, his voice dropping slightly. "Don't contract whatever negative energy she's carrying."Marcus let out a soft, mocking chuckle."Come on, Jerry. You don't actually believe in all that voodoo shit, do you?""What if it's real?" Jerry shot back, his eyes snapping from Tony to Marcus, dead serious.A very faint, razor-thin smile touched Tony’s lips, though it carried no warmth.Something cold and calculating flashed behind his eyes, and his voice dropped into a lower, darker register that made both of his friends go quiet."Whether it's real or not, I don't care. What I do know is that by the end of this week, if that car is not found... I will find a way to retrieve every single dime it cost from her. Every single cent."Marcus watched him for a beat, picking up on th
LILYA Few Days LaterA Beauty Salon, Upstate New YorkLily sank deeper into the styling chair, the backrest tilted comfortably beneath her as one of the salon workers carefully worked through her wine-colored hair.The salon buzzed with activity around them.Hair dryers hummed.Water ran somewhere
Moments later, I pulled into the driveway and slowed the car to a stop beside Lily’s red Chevrolet SUV.The engine idled for a second before I killed it completely.Silence settled.I stepped out, my bag hanging from one shoulder, the strap adjusting slightly as I shut the door behind me. I pressed
LILY'S POV After Tony Had Left.She remained motionless on the bed.The bedroom door had barely stopped vibrating from Tony's departure with her eyes fixed on it.Unblinking.The frown on her face lingered.Then finally she looked away.Her gaze swept across the mattress.Searching.The moment she
Tony blinked.For a moment, he simply stared at Lily.Then his eyes slowly lowered to her stomach.His lips parting slightly before his gaze rose back to her face. "Are you sure?" The question came out softer than he intended.His eyes drifted downward again before he lowered himself onto the edg







