That day University felt louder than usual.
Not because people were actually talking more— but because Smyle felt like every sound was aimed at him.
Whispers followed him down the hallway.
Not loud enough to confront. Not quiet enough to ignore.
"Is that him?" "Yeah, Rayden Black's husband." "No way—that Rayden?" "Did you see the car this morning?"
Smyle kept his head forward, backpack slung over one shoulder, pretending he didn't hear anything.
Pretending was becoming a skill.
James walked backward in front of him, grinning.
"So," he said, loud on purpose, "does marriage come with a luxury car subscription or—"
"James," Smyle warned.
William laughed. "I'm just saying, yesterday you were borrowing my charger and today you're stepping out of a BMW."
Leo added, "Character development."
Hong glanced around more carefully. "People are staring."
Smyle sighed. "Please tell me this dies down by tomorrow."
James clapped him on the back. "Nope. You married a headline."
Only Ohm stayed quiet.
Too quiet.
They reached the lecture hall and slid into their usual seats. Smyle took the one near the window, like always. Familiar. Safe.
For ten minutes, everything felt almost normal.
Then Smyle felt it.
That weight.
That strange pressure at the back of his neck.
Like being watched.
He turned slightly.
Outside the building—across the courtyard—stood a black car.
Not parked randomly. Not waiting casually.
Intentional.
Smyle's stomach tightened.
Rayden wasn't inside the university.
But he was close enough.
William noticed Smyle's distraction. "You good?"
Smyle nodded quickly. "Yeah. Just—thinking."
Ohm leaned closer. "You've been 'thinking' a lot lately."
Smyle forced a smile. "Deep thoughts. Tragic life."
Ohm didn't smile back.
Between Classes
During the break, Smyle escaped to the quieter side of campus.
Trees. Benches. Fewer eyes.
He pulled out his phone, meaning to text Ohm something casual—anything normal—but another message appeared first.
Rayden:
Lunch. Don't skip.
Smyle frowned.
Smyle:
I'm at uni, not your office.
The reply came almost immediately.
Rayden:
And yet, you're still mine until the contract ends.
Smyle exhaled sharply.
Smyle:
You promised no interference today.
A pause.
Longer this time.
Then—
Rayden:
I'm keeping my promise.
I'm not interfering.
I'm observing.
That sent a chill down Smyle's spine.
He locked his phone and stood up—
—and almost collided with someone.
"Oh—sorry!"
The guy smiled. "No worries. You're Smyle, right?"
Smyle blinked. "Yeah?"
"I'm Theo. Literature department. We share a music elective."
"Oh," Smyle relaxed slightly. "Right. Hi."
Theo gestured toward the bench. "Mind if I sit?"
Smyle hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then shrugged. "Sure."
They talked.
About classes. About music. About how boring that one professor was.
It was easy.
Normal.
Smyle laughed—really laughed—for the first time all day.
He didn't notice the black car move closer.
He didn't notice the driver step out.
But Rayden did.
The Line
Rayden waited until Theo left.
Until Smyle stood alone again.
Then he appeared.
Not rushed. Not angry. Not loud.
Just… there.
Smyle froze when he saw him.
"Rayden—what are you doing here?"
Rayden looked around calmly. "Campus is public."
"You said you wouldn't interfere."
"I didn't," Rayden replied evenly. "I waited."
Smyle crossed his arms. "For what?"
"For you to forget," Rayden said.
Smyle scoffed. "Forget what?"
Rayden stepped closer—not invading, not touching. Just close enough to lower his voice.
"The deal," he said.
"And the rules that come with it."
Smyle's jaw tightened. "I was just talking."
"I know," Rayden said. "I watched."
That shouldn't have sounded as calm as it did.
Smyle snapped, "You don't get to monitor my conversations."
Rayden's eyes darkened—not with anger, but something sharper.
"I do," he said quietly, "while you're under my name."
Smyle laughed incredulously. "So what—now I can't talk to people?"
"You can," Rayden replied.
"Your friends.
Your mother.
Your group."
Smyle's smile faded. "And others?"
Rayden didn't hesitate.
"No."
The word landed heavy.
"You don't get close," Rayden continued calmly,
"to anyone beyond them.
Not emotionally.
Not physically.
Not in ways that make people forget who you belong to."
Smyle stared at him. "That's not in the contract."
Rayden leaned in just enough for his shadow to fall over Smyle.
"No," he agreed softly.
"But this is."
Smyle swallowed. "And if I don't agree?"
Rayden straightened.
Then said the most dangerous thing of all—
"Then I stop pretending this is only business."
Silence stretched between them.
Students passed by, unaware.
Smyle looked away first.
"…Fine," he muttered.
"But don't confuse obedience with fear."
Rayden's lips curved—slow, restrained.
"I wouldn't," he said.
"You're brave.
That's why I noticed you in the first place."
Smyle's heart skipped.
He hated that it did.
Rayden stepped back. "Text me when you're done."
Then he turned and walked away—like he hadn't just redrawn the boundaries of Smyle's world.
Later That Evening
Ohm cornered Smyle outside the library.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
Smyle nodded. "Yeah."
Ohm studied him. "You sure?"
Smyle hesitated—then smiled, softer this time.
"I'm handling it," he said.
"I promise."
Ohm sighed. "You better. Because whatever this is… it's not small."
Smyle watched the sky darken above campus.
He knew.
And somewhere across the city, Rayden Black sat in his car, calm once more—
Because the line had been drawn.
And Smyle had crossed it.