"Julia! See you tomorrow! Take care!" her friend called out.
Julia smiled and waved.
When her friends were finally out of sight, she exhaled slowly. Caden had already warned her about what might happen today. She was prepared—but knowing didn't stop her heart from racing.
She preferred walking home alone when she was dismissed early. No driver. No noise. Just quiet.
So… how should I face him?
She glanced at her phone.
I'm more worried about Julie.
When she looked up, she saw a man standing ahead, as if he had been waiting.
She recognized him instantly.
Caden was right.
Vincent smiled the moment their eyes met.
"It's nice to see you, Julie," he said with a smirk. "Ah—sorry. Not Julie. Marianne Julia Guillermo. Did I get it right?"
He stepped closer.
Julia didn't answer. She instinctively stepped back—
and bumped into someone behind her.
"Oh… she really does look like her," a familiar voice said.
Charles.
She turned and saw the others nearby.
"So? You remember us, right?" Airah said coldly. "You were quite convincing back then."
Vincent chuckled. "Of course she was. She's a stage actress. Quite famous in her school."
He leaned closer.
"So, Julia… can you be Julie for a while?" he whispered. "You really look like her. That face…"
He reached out and brushed her cheek.
Julia slapped his hand away.
She didn't speak.
She just stared at him steadily.
Vincent laughed. "So much like Julie."
"Why so quiet now?" Airah taunted.
Julia avoided their gazes, calculating her options.
"Oh? Are you scared?" Charles smirked. "Didn't expect Caden to have a girlfriend like this."
"What do you want from me?" Julia finally asked, fists clenched.
"Nothing," Airah replied. "Just confirmation."
They had formed a loose circle around her.
No Dawn.
So this really is planned.
"Don't touch me," Julia warned when Charles grabbed her arm.
"She's bold," Charles commented. "I thought Caden's girlfriend would be timid."
Vincent chuckled. "She's brave because she's close to Julie. She knows her."
"So she knows her secrets too?" Airah asked.
Vincent's smile widened.
"Tell me," he said, locking eyes with Julia. "Julie and the Pop Princess are the same person, right?"
Julia stiffened.
She said nothing.
Her hands tightened.
"Relax," Vincent said smoothly. "We don't want to hurt you. Just do us a favor."
His eyes sharpened.
"Call Julie."
Julia swallowed.
"And tell her to come here."
The threat beneath his calm tone was unmistakable.
She inhaled quietly.
Julie was expecting this.
She dialed.
Julie answered immediately.
"Hello, Julie."
Vincent's grin deepened.
******
Julie ran.
That bastard.
She knew this might happen—but seeing Vincent again still ignited something sharp inside her.
Is this the game you want to play?
From a distance, she saw the silhouettes.
Vincent.
Julia.
Her pulse pounded.
"Julia!" she called out.
Everyone turned.
"Are you okay?" Julie immediately checked her friend, scanning her for injuries.
Gabriel will kill me if anything happens to his cousin.
"Julie, I'm fine," Julia assured her.
But Julie didn't stop looking.
"Relax," Vincent said casually. "I didn't hurt her. She's just bait."
His lips curved.
"So you would come."
"Wow," Airah murmured, studying Julie. "They really are identical."
Julie ignored her.
She stepped in front of Julia instinctively, shielding her.
Vincent laughed.
"Julie… you matter now, you know."
"So this is your game?" she asked coolly.
"Oh, you remember," Vincent smiled. "Good."
He stepped closer and lightly tapped her arm, attempting to hold her hand.
She moved away.
He smirked at her reaction.
"I just wanted a hug. We used to hug, remember?"
Julie's glare sharpened.
"Julia, stay behind me," she said firmly.
Vincent tilted his head.
"Why won't you talk to me privately?"
"And why should I?"
"You hate me, don't you?"
"Yes," Julie answered without hesitation. "I do. I hate you, Vincent."
He placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
"You're so cold. The Julie I knew is gone."
Julie arched an eyebrow.
"You're hurt? You cheated. You broke that relationship. And honestly? Thank you. You freed me from your stupidity."
Charles let out a low whistle.
Vincent only chuckled.
"Cheating? Sure. You were boring back then. But I made a mistake." His eyes darkened. "You're interesting now. I want you back."
Julie's fists tightened.
"You think I'd go back to you?" she scoffed. "Never."
Vincent reached into his pocket and pulled out several photos.
"Oh? You talk about cheating… but what about this?"
Julie didn't react outwardly.
Does he even realize Gabriel is my cousin?
"But Gabriel Alexander Santos Navares," Vincent continued smoothly, "is your cousin. And Julia here—Marianne Julia Santos Guillermo. Also Gabriel's cousin. Right?"
He smiled knowingly.
So he knows.
"Then what?" Julie asked calmly.
"So confident." He stepped closer. "That relationship was fake. Your real boyfriend is Cielo, isn't it?"
So that's why I felt uneasy today.
He knows.
Vincent watched her expression carefully.
"I have many eyes, Julie. I know more than you think." His tone lowered. "So tell me… are you Cielo's third party? Or are you the one being cheated on? Or maybe… you don't know yet?"
He leaned closer.
"You're such an interesting girl."
Julie stayed silent.
Is he bluffing? Or does he really know?
Vincent's breath brushed her ear.
"I know a lot more than you think."
Julie stepped away.
She didn't answer.
She didn't show fear.
But inside—
she understood.
This wasn't just about the past anymore.
It was about control.
And Vincent had just declared war.