Chapter three

“Hunter, please…” I whispered, pressing my palms against his chest. “We’re in the kitchen.”

He laughed bitterly, his breath warm against my neck.

“You’re acting like we haven’t already had sex on this exact kitchen counter, Chris.”

His voice was low, taunting. “You and I both know the bedroom was never our favorite place.”

He kissed just below my ear—his signature spot—the one that used to make me melt.

But not today.

I turned and shoved him away, my voice trembling. “Stop. Your girlfriend is literally outside, and you’re doing this with me?”

I yanked the oven mitts on, pulled the cake out, and tried to walk past him.

But Hunter stepped in front of me again, his eyes dark and burning.

“Alina’s not my girlfriend,” he said. “She’s just a friend who flew in from New York yesterday. It’s fake. We’re pretending—because Dad’s been breathing down my neck about settling down. You know how he is.”

I stared at him, deadpan. “And what the hell does that have to do with me?”

That stopped him cold.

His lips parted, shocked at the indifference in my voice.

He was expecting jealousy. That old version of me who used to crumble every time a girl got too close to him.

Back in college, every time someone asked him to prom or clung to his arm, I’d spend the night crying, spiraling.

And every time, Hunter would find me. Pull me into his lap, whisper in my ear, and say,

“Don’t be stupid, Chris. I only want you.”

But not this time.

This time, I didn’t flinch.

“Chris,” he said, voice softer now. “You know who my real girlfriend is, right?” He leaned in to kiss me again.

I stepped around him like he didn’t exist. Without another word, I walked back to the dining room, set the cake on the table with a gentle thud, and took my seat.

Mom clapped her hands. “Perfect timing!” She cut the cake, smiling brightly as she handed the first slice to Alina.

“Thank you so much, Auntie,” Alina said, taking a bite like she was auditioning for a Hallmark movie. “When Hunter and I get married, you have to teach me your recipes!”

Married.

My lungs tightened, but I forced a smile.

I reached for my bag and stood.

“Mom, I’m heading out.”

Hunter’s voice came immediately. “So early? Doesn’t your college start at eleven?”

My back was still to him. I couldn’t tell him the truth—that I had to go to the visa office.

“I’m going to a friend’s place,” I lied smoothly.

He narrowed his eyes. “Which friend?”

Of course. He knew all of them. Knew their names, faces, parents, addresses. Some of my friends even knew about us.

Before I could answer, Alina giggled and looped her arm through his.

“Oh come on, Hunter,” she teased. “Don’t be such a possessive big brother. Any guy would be terrified to date her with you lurking around.”

That was my cue. I didn’t wait for his reaction. I walked out.

I submitted all my documents at the visa office.

College was a blur. I went through the motions.

When I returned home, it was almost dinner.

I sat quietly at the table with Mom and Uncle Carter.

“Hunter’s not back yet,” Carter said, glancing at his watch.

“He’s probably with Alina,” Mom replied cheerfully. “She’s such a lovely girl. Don’t you think so, Chris?”

I smiled, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“Yeah… she’s great.”

I stood. “I’m going to my room. I’ve got to go back to the visa office tomorrow morning.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I climbed the stairs like I was climbing out of my own skin.

Once inside, I locked the door behind me.

I peeled off my clothes, ran the water hot, and stood under it until I couldn’t feel anything but steam and silence.

When I stepped out, wrapped in a towel, the room was dim.

And then I saw him.

Hunter.

Sitting on the edge of my bed.

My heart slammed into my ribs. “How the hell did you get in? I locked the door.”

He didn’t flinch. “I have keys to every room in this house. You’re forgetting who I am, Christina.”

I turned away, heading to my wardrobe. I didn’t want to fight. I didn’t want to feel.

I opened the drawer, grabbed a sweatshirt.

And then—hands.

Hunter’s grip closed around my wrist. In a single motion, he spun me around and pinned me against the wall.

His mouth went straight to my neck, desperate and wild.

“Hunter, stop,” I said flatly. “I’m not in the mood.”

His lips hesitated. “What’s going on with you?” he asked. “I told you—Alina is just a childhood friend. Nothing happened. Nothing will happen.”

“I don’t care,” I said coldly. “You can be with Alina. Or any girl you want. Doesn’t matter to me.”

That hit him harder than a slap.

“You’re lying,” he muttered.

I stared at him. 

“I know you’re upset.” He blinked. “Alright… fine. It’s just been a while since we had a sex. Let’s..” 

“I’m on my period,” I said, cutting him off.

His brows furrowed. “What? No you’re not. Your cycle starts on the 26th. Today’s the 14th.”

“Guess it came early. Probably from stress,” I muttered, pulling on my sweatshirt.

The truth? I wasn’t on my period. I just couldn’t take it anymore.

The lies. The games. The pretending.

He stared at me for a long moment. Then stepped back. “Alright. I won’t push. We can wait. Just a few days.”

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear gently. That old Hunter again—the one who used to whisper promises in the dark.

I said nothing.

I climbed into bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin.

Hunter lay down beside me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He always did.

“I’m sorry, Chris,” he murmured. “I should’ve told you about Alina before bringing her.”

Tears welled up, hot and bitter.

I didn’t answer. I just let them fall, silent and steady.

“Just a few more days,” I told myself. “Just a few more days… and then I’ll be gone. For good.”

Hunter tightened his hold on me like he could feel me slipping.

But it was too late.

He’d already lost me.