Morning came too quickly.
Jenn moved through the mansion like a shadow, careful, quiet. The air felt heavier than usual, as if the walls themselves were listening.
She entered the kitchen.
Alden was already there.
For a brief second, their eyes almost met — almost. But he looked away first, reaching for his phone, pretending to read something that clearly wasn't important.
Jenn poured herself a glass of juice. The sound felt too loud.
No good morning.
No did you sleep well.
Nothing.
She wanted to speak. She really did.
But the words stayed trapped in her throat.
She left the kitchen without looking back, her chest tight, her heart unsettled.
From the doorway, Alden watched her go — jaw clenched, emotions locked behind silence he no longer knew how to break.
⸻
Rosario sat on the edge of her bed, tying her shoelaces slowly.
Her mind wasn't on school.
It was still at Jeff's house.
The kiss.
The laughter.
The way Jenn fit so easily into Jeff's space — into his arms.
She shook her head, forcing the thoughts away.
You're here for exams, she reminded herself.
Focus.
But her heart didn't listen.
⸻
The exam hall was tense.
Pens scratched against paper.
Time ticked loudly.
Jenn stared at her script, words blurring together. She read the same question three times and still couldn't process it.
Her mind wandered — to Alden's silence, to Jeff's kiss, to the heaviness she couldn't explain.
She wrote.
She erased.
She guessed.
Rosario wasn't doing any better.
She answered questions mechanically, her thoughts drifting, concentration slipping through her fingers. For once, confidence failed her.
When the bell finally rang, relief didn't come — only dread.
⸻
Outside, students gathered in small groups, voices loud and animated.
Jenn walked out slowly, shoulders slumped.
Jeff spotted her immediately.
"Hey," he said, pulling her into a warm hug.
She didn't resist.
She leaned into him like she needed it.
"How did it go?" he asked softly, rubbing her back.
Jenn exhaled shakily. "Not great. I couldn't focus."
Jeff frowned. "Hey, it's okay. One exam doesn't define you."
Rosario stood a few steps away, watching.
No one rushed to her.
No arms opened.
No voice asked how she was.
She swallowed hard, forcing a neutral expression.
Jeff finally turned to her. "Rosa, how about you? How was yours?"
She hesitated before answering. "It wasn't… fine either."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. Don't beat yourself up. We'll fix it. You just need more revision and less pressure."
She managed a small smile. "Yeah."
Jeff glanced between them, then said casually, "Let's go to my place. We really need to study properly this time."
Jenn looked up, surprised but relieved. "Okay."
Rosario nodded too, though something twisted quietly inside her chest.
As they walked away together, Rosario stayed just half a step behind — close enough to belong, far enough to feel invisible.
And none of them noticed the figure across the courtyard, watching.
Alden.
He had seen the hug.
The closeness.
The way Jenn leaned into Jeff like she was slipping away.
His chest tightened.
Whatever silence he was holding onto…
was beginning to crack.
______
When they arrived at Jeff's house, the mood shifted almost immediately.
Jeff spoke briefly to the maid, smiling politely.
"You can excuse us for now. We'll call if we need anything."
Once they were alone, he clapped his hands together lightly.
"Alright," he said with a grin. "We're not jumping straight into books. Everyone's tense. Let's relax first."
Jenn tilted her head. "How?"
He thought for a second. "Something fun. Something… distracting."
Jenn's eyes lit up. "What about cookies?"
Rosario laughed softly. "You don't understand," she said, looking at Jeff. "Jenn makes the best cookies in the world. I've never tasted anything better."
Jeff raised an impressed brow. "Then I'm in. Lead the way, chef."
They moved into the kitchen.
At first, it was harmless — laughter, flour dusting the counter, Jeff pretending he didn't know how to crack an egg. But soon, it shifted.
Jeff stood behind Jenn, his arms loosely around her waist as she stirred the dough.
"Like this?" he asked, leaning close.
She laughed. "You're doing it wrong."
"Then teach me," he murmured, pressing a light kiss to her cheek.
One kiss turned into another. A whisper here. A laugh there. Sweet words meant only for her.
"You smell amazing."
"I like you like this."
"You make everything feel lighter."
Rosario stood by the counter, watching, smiling when she was supposed to — but each laugh felt like a small cut.
She busied herself with the oven. With plates. With anything that wasn't looking at them.
When the cookies were done, they sat in the living room, eating and laughing. The tension eased — at least on the surface.
After a while, Jeff stood up.
"I'll be right back," he said. "Need to grab something upstairs."
Minutes passed.
Jenn glanced at the stairs. Then at Rosario.
"I'll check on him," she said casually, standing up.
Rosario nodded. "Okay."
But something tightened in her chest.
Jeff's room was quieter than the rest of the house — softer lights, drawn curtains, the faint scent of cologne and books. It felt private. Too private.
Jenn stepped inside slowly, closing the door behind her.
Jeff had just ended the call with Aunt Carol. He slipped his phone into his pocket and turned to her with a small smile.
"You didn't have to come up," he said gently.
"I wanted to," Jenn replied.
For a moment, they simply stood there, the air thick with everything they hadn't said downstairs. The laughter. The cookies. Rosario's silence.
Jeff moved first, resting his hand on the desk beside her, leaning in just enough to close the distance without touching her.
"You've been quiet since the exam," he said. "Talk to me."
Jenn exhaled. "I didn't do well."
Jeff frowned slightly. "You're being too hard on yourself."
"I couldn't focus," she admitted. "Too much going on."
He reached out then — not rushing — brushing his thumb lightly over her knuckles.
"You don't have to carry everything alone," he said. "That's what I'm here for."
Something in Jenn softened.
She stepped closer. Close enough to feel his warmth.
Jeff's hand slid to her waist, steady, familiar. His forehead rested against hers.
"You're safe here," he murmured.
That was all it took.
Jenn smiled faintly. "You always know what to say."
"I just tell the truth."
Their lips met — slow, gentle, lingering. Not desperate. Not rushed. Just enough to quiet the noise in her head.
Outside the room, Rosario had climbed the stairs without fully meaning to.
She told herself she was just checking.
Just calling them back down.
From where she stood, she could hear murmured voices. Soft laughter. Jenn's familiar laugh — the one she only used when she was happy.
She realized then — painfully — that this wasn't something she could interrupt with a joke or a comment. This wasn't something she could call Jenn away from.
Jenn wasn't being pulled.
She was choosing.
Anger surged — not wild, but cold.
Rosario turned and walked back downstairs, her steps sharp against the marble floor. She grabbed her phone and stared at Jenn's name.
She hesitated.
Then she called.
Upstairs, Jenn's phone vibrated against the desk.
Jeff glanced at it. "It's Rosa."
Jenn stared at the screen.
The ringing filled the room.
For a second, she didn't move.
That was when Rosario understood.
Not when the call rang.
But when Jenn didn't answer immediately.
Rosario ended the call herself.
She sat on the couch downstairs, spine straight, face calm — but something inside her had cracked.
Upstairs, Jenn finally picked up her phone… too late.
A text appeared instead.
Rosa: I'm downstairs. Take your time.
Jenn's chest tightened.
Jeff read her face instantly. "You should go."
Jenn nodded. "Yeah."
As she reached for the door, Jeff gently caught her wrist.
"This doesn't make you a bad person," he said quietly.
Jenn looked back at him, conflicted. "It still feels like I'm losing something."
Jeff released her hand. "Sometimes you do."
And as Jenn walked back downstairs, she didn't know which loss scared her more —
her steps slow, her face warm in a way she couldn't hide.
Rosario was sitting on the couch, arms folded, eyes fixed on her phone.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
"Rosa?" Jenn called softly.
No answer.
Jenn moved closer. "Are you okay?"
Rosario shrugged without looking up. "I'm fine."
The word was flat. Empty.
Jenn frowned. "You don't sound fine."
Rosario finally lifted her head, giving her a tight smile. "You came down now. Shouldn't I be?"
Jenn felt it — the edge in her voice. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Rosario replied, standing up. "I'm just tired. Long day. Exams. Train rides. Watching couples act like the world is theirs."
Jenn's chest tightened. "Rosa…"
Rosario grabbed her bag. "Relax. I'm not mad. Just… done sitting around."
Before Jenn could say anything else, footsteps came down the stairs.
Jeff appeared, adjusting his shirt, easy smile on his face until he sensed the tension.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Rosario answered before Jenn could. "Nothing. We should probably head home."
Jeff looked between them. "Yeah. That's fine. I'll take you both."
Jenn hesitated. "You don't have to—"
"It's late," Jeff said gently. "I don't mind."
Rosario nodded. "Good."
The drive was quiet.
Too quiet.
When they pulled up in front of the mansion, the lights were still on.
Jeff stepped out first, opening the door for Jenn automatically. Rosario got out on her own, already halfway toward the gate.
Alden stood on the front steps.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression unreadable.
His eyes went straight to Jeff.
"Interesting," Alden said calmly. "Didn't know you were doing drop-offs now."
Jeff stiffened. "I was just helping."
"Of course you were," Alden replied, eyes shifting briefly to Jenn before returning to Jeff. "You always are."
Jenn stepped forward. "Alden, please—"
"This doesn't concern you," Alden cut in, voice low.
Jeff took a step closer. "Don't talk to her like that."
Alden's jaw tightened. "And don't show up at my house like you own the place."
"I brought her home safely," Jeff said. "That's all."
Alden laughed once — cold. "Funny how that's been your excuse for everything."
Rosario stood off to the side, silent, watching the tension thicken.
Jeff's voice hardened. "You don't get to act like you care when you keep pushing her away."
Alden stepped closer. "And you don't get to play hero while crossing lines."
The air snapped.
Jenn moved between them. "Stop! Both of you!"
Neither listened.
Jeff's eyes burned. "At least I don't pretend she doesn't exist."
Alden's voice dropped dangerously. "Say one more word."
Jovi appeared at the doorway. "Whoa—okay, that's enough."
Jovan joined him quickly. "Not tonight."
Alden took a slow step back, eyes never leaving Jeff.
"This isn't over," he said quietly.
Jeff held his gaze. "I know."
Rosario turned away first, walking into the house without a word.
Jenn followed slowly, heart pounding.
Behind her, the door closed.
And just like that, what had been quiet jealousy turned into open war.