LOGINHad I really cooked my best meal… for another woman?I sighed, forcing myself to bury the ache in my chest as Bella and I carried the dishes back to the dining table.Marcus was smiling.Not the polite smile he usually wore.He looked relaxed… comfortable… genuinely happy.Something about it hurt more than I wanted to admit.Bella and I finished serving everyone. I suddenly had no appetite.“I’ll leave you guys to eat,” I muttered, turning away.“Ella.”Marcus’s voice stopped me.It was the first time he had spoken to me all day.My heart betrayed me instantly, pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.I slowly turned around.“Where are you going?” he asked gently.“I… um…”The words refused to come out.“Sit with us,” he said. “Let’s eat together.”My lips almost curved into a smile.I quickly took my seat, feeling strangely relieved.Maybe I had been overthinking everything.But before I could even take another bite…“Uh… Ella?”Maya looked directly at me.I paused, my for
When I returned to my room, one thought refused to leave my mind.No woman could ever get to his heart.I sighed, shaking my head.“What am I even thinking?” I muttered. “I couldn’t get to his heart even if I tried… and besides, it’s wrong.”I pressed a hand against my forehead.“I need to get over this as soon as possible.”The thought stung more than I wanted to admit, but I knew I had to let go.I forced myself to focus on my assignments instead.Hours passed.Bella still hadn’t come home.I sighed and headed downstairs to make myself something to eat. Marcus’s bedroom door was shut, and I deliberately ignored it.I’m done thinking about him.I warmed my food in the microwave, ate quietly, then returned to my room. To pass the time while waiting for Bella, I put on a movie.Around eleven that night, my bedroom door swung open.Bella walked in and dramatically collapsed onto my bed.“Bella.” I laughed, setting my phone aside. “Where have you been?”She rolled her eyes.“Relax. I’m a
I didn’t want to meet him. What could a cheater like him possibly have to say to me again? For the past two days, he had been pestering me, constantly asking to see me. I rejected every single offer until he mentioned the one thing I couldn’t ignore. My money. The huge amount I owed him. The moment he said he would bring it back, I agreed. Fine. Let me get my money and cut ties with him forever. As much as I hated him, I loved my money. I even laughed at myself a little. How on earth had I ended up dating a man who could borrow money from me? The irony was almost embarrassing. So I sat there in the café, waiting. And waiting. When he finally arrived, I immediately suspected he had done it on purpose. He wanted to make an entrance. A flashy car pulled up outside, and Henry stepped out, trying desperately to look cool. But all I saw was the confidence of a cockroach. He walked toward me with sunglasses on, pretending to be some untouchable man, but he didn’t have the presen
An awkward silence settled over the room. Bella, being the ray of sunshine she always was, suddenly looked at me just as I was about to head upstairs. “Siis…?” I stopped and turned around. “Hmm?” The smile on her face immediately made me suspicious. She was definitely up to something. “Are you going to cook for me?” I sighed. I knew it. Before I could answer, Marcus spoke. “Don’t bother her. We can just order food. Besides, you do nothing while she does all the work.” I blinked. It was the second time today he had taken my side. Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Oh, come on, Dad,” Bella whined dramatically. “I’ll wash the dishes,” she promised. “I’ll cook,” I said before the two of them could continue arguing. “Yay!” Bella jumped up and down happily. Honestly, it was the least I could do. They had welcomed me into their home without hesitation, and I genuinely loved cooking, so it wasn’t a burden. I smiled. “What would you both like to eat? I want to make each of your f
The hallway fell silent.Ann’s eyes widened in shock, her face burning with humiliation.All I could feel was the warmth of Marcus standing behind me—protective, commanding… and far too close.“Miss Ann,” he said coldly.She immediately lowered her head.“Violence is not an appropriate way to handle disagreements. I cannot stand by and watch you assault another student. My role as a professor is to teach, guide, and uphold discipline within this school.”His sharp gaze never left her.“Now apologize.”“I-I’m sorry, sir,” Ann stammered. “It won’t happen again.”A strange smile tugged at my lips. Seeing the school’s self-proclaimed queen trembling was something I never thought I’d witness.Her friends looked just as frightened.Marcus slowly released her wrist.“And remember,” he added firmly, “violence is not tolerated in this school.”“Yes, sir.”She bowed her head again before turning around and practically sprinting away. Her little followers hurried after her like frightened puppie
I was pacing around my room like a mad person, biting my nails until my fingers hurt. Anxiety was slowly consuming me, and my mind kept replaying every possible worst-case scenario.Then suddenly, the door clicked open.I turned around and saw Bella standing there, a sad expression written across her face.I rushed toward her and grabbed her shoulders.“Did he tell you to send me away?” I asked desperately. “Is he still mad at me? Bella, I didn’t mean to… I swear I was just—”“Ella,” she interrupted gently.I stopped.“Why are you so tense?” she asked. “Calm down. I know everything, and nobody is sending anyone away.”My heart finally loosened a little.“He told you everything?” I whispered.Bella nodded.Flashback“Dad, what did you want to talk about?”I looked at him while washing the dishes. He was leaning against the sink, watching me quietly.“It’s about Ella.”Ella?I rinsed the cup in my hand and stared at him.“What about her, Dad?”“She thought I was behind the fire because







