I sank into the passenger seat of Tom's car, slamming the door a little harder than I meant to.
"So, how was your day?" Tom asked casually, glancing at me as he started driving.
"Good," I muttered, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, though I wasn't really seeing it.
Tom kept talking—something about the game, the crowd, the post-match celebration—but I wasn't listening. His words faded into the background as my mind spiraled back to the chaos from earlier. Alan's letter. His sudden closeness. The confusion. And Jared.
"Tom, can you drop me near the cotton candy shop?" I asked suddenly.
He blinked, surprised. "Right now?"
"Yes. I need to go to a friend's place. It's... important," I said, trying to sound casual.
He didn't push. "Alright." He pulled over, dropped me off, said goodbye, and drove away.
As soon as his car turned the corner, I took off in the opposite direction—straight toward Jared's mansion.
The Gates residence was practically a city landmark. Jared's family was one of the wealthiest and most influential in town. Spoiled didn't even begin to cover his upbringing.
Two years. That's how long it had been since I last set foot inside this house. And yet, everything looked newer, shinier—like nothing had changed and yet everything had.
The maid opened the door before I even knocked. Her eyes widened.
"Miss Serena! After so long! How have you been?"
I forced a polite smile. "I've been good. How about you?"
"Still running around this big house. Just a moment, I'll inform Master Jared you're here." She disappeared up the grand staircase.
Moments later, she returned. "He's asked you to come upstairs."
I inhaled sharply and climbed the steps slowly, my heart thudding louder with each one. I stopped in front of his door, knocked once.
"Come in," came Jared's voice.
The door creaked open, and there he was—lounging casually on the couch like nothing had happened between us.
"Well, if it isn't Serena. Nice to see you back here after an eternity. Make yourself comfortable."
"I'd rather skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point," I said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind me.
"Ah. So it wasn't just a friendly visit. Silly me for hoping you might've stopped by to say hello... or to check if I'm still breathing," he said with a hollow laugh, masking something deeper beneath.
My patience snapped. "What kind of game are you playing, Jared?"
He sat up straighter, his face darkening. "Game? What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You wrote the letter, didn't you? Then you sent Alan to deliver it in your place."
Jared frowned. "What letter?"
I yanked the folded paper out of my bag and tossed it onto the coffee table.
"That letter."
He picked it up, eyes scanning the handwriting. "Oh. That letter."
"Yes, that one. Care to explain?"
He sighed, shaking his head slowly. "Serena, that letter wasn't for you."
I raised a brow. "Really?"
"Alan came to me saying there's this girl—someone who never smiled at him, who never noticed him—and he wanted to talk to her but didn't know how. So I suggested a letter. He said he'd never written one before, so I helped. I wrote it with him, not for you."
"Do you seriously expect me to believe that? After everything you've lied about?"
He leaned forward, frustrated. "Why would I lie about this? I didn't even know it was meant for you! If I had, I swear, I never would've helped him. In fact, I would've told him to stay far away."
I froze. "And why would you do that?"
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked almost... pained. "Because I can't stand the idea of seeing you with someone else."
The words hit me like an electric shock.
"What did you just say?" My voice trembled.
He didn't answer.
I took a step closer, fists clenched. "What the hell did you just say?"
"I still love you, Serena," he said quietly. "I never stopped. I love you from the bottom of my damn heart."
My breath caught in my throat.
"You cheated on me," I snapped. "With Maria. And now you have the audacity to say you love me?"
"I had my reasons," he said, stepping toward me and placing his hands on my waist. His touch felt familiar, dangerous.
"There is no reason in this world that justifies cheating," I whispered, voice cracking.
"I know. I was a jerk. I was scared and stupid. But these last two years? I've been miserable without you. I tried reaching out, but you never replied, never gave me a chance."
Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, but I couldn't let myself soften.
I broke free from his grip, grabbed my bag, and turned for the door.
"Serena, wait!" he called out behind me.
I didn't stop. I marched out of that house and into the fading light, until the mansion was nothing but a blur behind me.
When I was far enough, I let it out—a scream that shattered into sobs. I collapsed onto a bench and cried, my voice breaking as I whispered to no one, "Why does this always happen to me?"