Masuk(SLADE'S POV)I watched her sleep.The fire had died down to glowing embers, casting soft shadows across her face. She was curled up on the couch, her head resting on my chest, one hand splayed across my heart like she was trying to feel every beat.She looked peaceful. Beautiful. Like nothing in the world could ever hurt her.I wanted to keep her like this forever. Safe. Protected. Mine.My fingers traced lazy patterns through her hair, still slightly damp from her bath. She stirred slightly, a soft murmur escaping her lips, but she didn't wake.I smiled.I had never been this happy. Not once in my entire life. And it terrified me.Because happiness like this could be taken away. I knew that better than anyone. Life had a cruel way of ripping the people you loved away from you, leaving nothing but memories and pain.But looking at her, feeling her warmth against me, I couldn't bring myself to care about the risk. She was worth it. She was worth every fear, every doubt, every moment o
(KAIRA'S POV)The bath had been nothing short of heavenly.I had soaked until my fingers pruned, letting the warm water and floral scents wash away the stress of the day. By the time I finally emerged, wrapped in one of the fluffy robes that Slade had left for me, I felt like a completely different person.I padded downstairs barefoot, my hair still damp and curling at the ends. The scent of something delicious wafted through the cabin, making my stomach growl.Slade was in the kitchen, his back to me, stirring something in a pan. He had changed out of his practice clothes into a simple white t-shirt and gray sweatpants, and he looked so effortlessly perfect that my heart skipped a beat."Something smells amazing," I said, announcing my presence.He turned, and his eyes softened when he saw me. "You look better.""I feel better." I walked over to him, peeking at what he was cooking. "What are you making?""Pasta. With a cream sauce. And garlic bread.""You cook?""I can manage a few t
(KAIRA'S POV)The car hummed beneath me, smooth and steady as we drove through winding roads that I had never seen before. The sun had fully set now, leaving behind a sky painted in deep purples and navy blues. Streetlights became sparse, then disappeared entirely, replaced by nothing but darkness and the occasional glimpse of moonlight through the trees."Slade, where are we going?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time."You'll see when we get there.""That's what you keep saying." I shifted in my seat, the shopping bags from earlier rustling in the back. "But we've been driving for almost an hour. I don't even know where we are anymore.""That's the point."I sighed, leaning my head against the window. The glass was cool against my skin, and I could see my reflection staring back at me. I looked happy. Genuinely happy.But also confused."Seriously though," I pressed, "can you at least give me a hint?""No.""Slade!""Patience, Makaira." There was a hint of amusement in his
(SHELLY'S POV)I was going to be sick.Literally, physically, genuinely sick.I had been following them all day. Not in an obvious way—I wasn't stupid. I parked my car down the street, pretended to be on my phone, watched through the windows of stores like I was just another shopper. I was careful. Strategic. Patient.And what did I see?Slade Horton—the same Slade Horton who had never so much as held my hand in public—picking up that pathetic little gold digger with flowers. Real flowers. Actual, genuine, expensive flowers that he had probably handpicked just for her.And then the kiss.Not even a real kiss. Just a kiss on her hand. But it was the way he did it. The way he looked at her. Like she was the sun and the moon and every star in the sky.I had never seen him look at anyone like that. Not even me. Especially not me.I gripped my steering wheel so hard that my knuckles turned white."Did you see that?" I hissed at Penny, who was sitting in the passenger seat looking uncomfort
(KAIRA'S POV)My phone buzzed in my hand, and I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw Slade's name on the screen.Me: Thinking of you. Can we talk when you get home?I read the message three times, a smile spreading across my face so wide that my cheeks started to hurt.Me: Of course. I'll text you when I'm back. 💕I typed the response quickly, my fingers trembling slightly with excitement. Then I hugged my phone to my chest, letting out a small, giddy sigh."What was that?" Cameron's voice cut through my thoughts.I looked up to find him staring at me with a knowing grin. He had one eyebrow raised, his arms crossed over his chest, and he was practically radiating smug energy."What was what?" I asked innocently."That." He pointed at my face. "That little smile you just did. The one that made you look like a lovesick puppy.""I don't look like a lovesick puppy.""You absolutely do." Cameron walked over to where I was standing, still holding the dress I had been about to try on. "Was
(SLADE'S POV)The morning sun beat down on the football field, hot and unforgiving. I welcomed it. The heat, the sweat, the burn in my muscles—it was all a distraction. A way to quiet the noise in my head.But it wasn't working.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Makaira. In that sundress. Smiling at that Cameron guy like he was the most entertaining person on earth.I kicked the ball harder than necessary, sending it flying across the field. It sailed past the goalpost and into the fence beyond."Whoa there, Horton!" Coach Davis shouted from the sidelines. "Save some of that energy for the actual game!"I didn't respond. I just jogged after the ball, my jaw tight.Germaine jogged up beside me, his brow furrowed. "Dude. What's with you today? You've been kicking like you're trying to murder the ball.""I'm fine.""You're not fine. You're never this aggressive during practice." Germaine kept pace with me as I retrieved the ball. "Did something happen? Is it about the video thing?
(KAIRA'S POV) The large iron gates opened, and I felt the familiar weight of panic settle behind my ribs. I pressed my sweaty palms against the expensive leather while my body stiffened in the backseat. I wanted to close my eyes but somehow I couldn't. I sat, like a programmed robot, and watched
(KAIRA'S POV) "Mr. Horton, your project partner is… Miss Jin." Our English teacher, Mrs. Reed, announced. My stomach sank, and a heavy weight transferred to my chest. Of all the people in PineCrest High, it had to be Slade Horton. Football captain. Sole hair of Horton Empire. Most popular an
(KAIRA'S POV)Slade put me down immediately and draped his jacket over my shoulder. I stood like a doll, unmoving, waiting as the footsteps presented their owners."Oh my goodness, what happened, baby?" Mum cried as she ran towards me. "We were just on our way to get you both and then we heard you
(KAIRA'S POV)Slade was torturing me with silence. Simply leading the way.I followed him closely like a pupil behind a headmaster, past the house doors, to the hedged pathways, to the garden gates, past chrysanthemums, a variety of roses, orchids, daisies… and then carefully past the stepping ston







