Andrew's POV
I lay on the bed, watching Henry bustle around as he got ready for school. It was annoying—painfully so—that he didn't even spare me a glance. Not even one.
I didn't like that.
I hated it.
Being ignored by Henry had a way of getting under my skin, and the irritation was already simmering.
"Busy day ahead, huh, Henry?" Julian asked casually.
"Yeah," Henry replied. "I have to meet Jenna this morning before classes."
"Oh, okay then," Julian said, then turned to me. "Aren't you going to classes today?"
"I will," I answered, never taking my eyes off Henry until he walked out of the room.
I wanted to grab him. Force him to acknowledge me. But I resisted.
I could afford to wait.
We'll have time later, I told myself. Plenty of time.
I wasn't in a rush—at least, that's what I pretended. The truth was obvious even to me: it was a blatant lie.
Once Henry was finally gone, I let out a slow breath and headed to the bathroom to take a bath, trying—and failing—to calm the restless tension inside me.
Henry's POV
I got up early, determined to leave the room as quickly as possible. But the moment I moved, I felt it—Andrew's gaze.
It was heavy. Oppressive.
Like a rock tied around my waist, dragging me down every time I tried to move.
I ignored it as best as I could, focusing on packing my things. Then Julian started making small talk.
"Busy day ahead?" he asked.
I frowned slightly. Since when did he care about my schedule?
"Yeah," I replied shortly.
I left the room without looking back, but I could still feel Andrew's eyes burning into me until I shut the door behind me. Only then did I realize I'd been holding my breath.
This was becoming a problem.
If Andrew kept acting like this, things would get messy—fast. Maybe I should consider changing rooms. But that would be difficult; most rooms were already taken for the semester.
Great, I thought as I walked to meet Jenna. Just great.
I didn't actually have any lectures that morning. The excuse was just that—an excuse—to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the room. I wasn't ready to give in. Not yet.
Jenna was already at the cafeteria, Lena beside her. We got our food and sat down.
"So," Jenna said, raising an eyebrow, "spill it. Why did you drag me out of bed this early?"
"I'm really sorry," I said, rubbing my temples. "A lot has happened these past few days."
"Well, we've got time," she replied. "Go on."
So I told her everything.
Andrew. The cave. Him being my first. The bear attack. Our argument. Yesterday's fight. This morning.
I didn't hold anything back.
Both Jenna and Lena listened quietly.
When I finally finished, Lena spoke first. "So that's why you guys were outside the lab yesterday."
"Yeah."
"And you said room?" Jenna asked. "You're roommates?"
"Yes," I said. "I thought I told you."
"I thought you shared a dorm, not a room."
"We do," I said flatly. "So you can imagine my situation."
Jenna stared at me. "Wow. And what are you planning to do?"
"I thought about changing rooms, but it's stressful, so I crossed that off my list. Honestly? I don't know. I'm confused."
She sighed. "I can't say I fully understand your situation, but I can say he's selfish. Very selfish. Secret dating? What is this, 2015?"
I laughed bitterly. "Yeah."
"But do you like him?" she asked.
I buried my face in my hands. "Yeah," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Well," she said softly, "that changes things."
"If you didn't like him, I'd tell him to go fuck himself. But now…" She shrugged. "Do you plan on forgiving him?"
"Yes. But I need him to own who he is. I'm not going to be someone's best-kept secret."
"That's fair," Lena chimed in. "He needs to decide if he's ready."
"Exactly," I said. "Until then, I'll keep ignoring him. Maybe it'll push him to accept himself."
Jenna studied me. "You just broke up with Ethan not long ago. And here you are again. Why do you always accept screw-ups?"
"I don't know," I admitted.
She smiled sadly. "You'll figure it out. You always do. You're giving Andrew chance after chance—it means you're really into him."
"I know," I said, lowering my head.
"If you want, I could talk to him."
"No," I replied quickly. "I'll handle it."
"Alright," she said. "But keep me updated. Now come on—we're late."
Ethan's POV
Negotiations with Sam's father hit a minor setback.
A traitor—one of our own—had attempted to leak company secrets. We caught him quickly, but not before enough slipped out for Sam's father to notice. He was skeptical now. Wary.
So we slowed things down. No rushing. No pressure.
Then I heard the scream.
A chilling, agonized sound echoed through the hall.
"That's what happens when you betray my uncle and get caught," I muttered coldly. "I don't pity him."
My phone buzzed.
A message from my little bird.
It's Andrew. It seems they've been in an on-and-off intimate relationship. They had an issue last night—mostly because of Andrew. Also… they're roommates.
I went still.
Roommates.
Not only were they involved—he lived with him.
Fate really was hell-bent on screwing me over.
I was so angry that something inside me snapped—and instead of exploding, I grew terrifyingly calm.
I walked straight to the torture room.
He was begging when I entered.
Every scream reminded me of what he'd taken from me. What he'd ruined. Every second I wasted here was another second Henry spent with Andrew.
I knelt in front of him.
"You have kids, right?" I said softly. "A boy and two girls."
His eyes widened.
"That's why you betrayed us. For them."
I smiled. "Before you die, I want you to know I'll find them. Wherever you hid them. And I'll make them suffer."
He sobbed.
"Please—they're innocent!"
"They're the reason," I replied calmly. "That makes them guilty."
He screamed as the guards tightened their grip.
"You know what to do," I said, standing.
"Yes, boss."
"Goodbye."
His screams followed me out, but they did nothing to soothe the rage burning inside me.
I wouldn't let Andrew have Henry.
I should have killed him back then. I thought the bear would finish the job.
Seems fate wants me to do it.
And I gladly will.
Henry's POV
Going back to the dorm should have felt comforting.
Instead, I dreaded it.
I hesitated at the door before stepping inside. The room was quiet—too quiet.
Then the bathroom door opened.
Andrew.
Fresh from the shower. Damp hair. Towel low on his hips.
He looked unfairly handsome.
I must have stared, because he smirked. "Like what you see?"
Before I could respond, he let the towel fall.
My breath hitched.
"You could come closer," he said smoothly. "No need to admire from afar."
Every instinct screamed at me to move. But my body betrayed me.
He walked over, lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him.
"I'm putting on a show for you," he murmured. "Turning away is rude."
My face burned.
"Fuck," he whispered. "You're beautiful."
He leaned in to kiss me, but I turned my head.
"Playing hard to get?" he teased.
"This is harassment," I said weakly.
He chuckled. "Yes. It is. What are you going to do about it?"
He grabbed my hand, pressing it against his body.
I jerked away like I'd been electrocuted.
"You did this," he said. "You've been in my head all day."
"I told you," I said, trying to escape his hold. "If you can't acknowledge me publicly, we shouldn't be together."
"I don't care anymore," he said. "I just want you."
"At least let me put my bag down."
He loosened his grip just long enough for me to do that—then pulled me back.
I was about to protest when voices echoed from the hallway.
"The guys are here," I whispered urgently.
"I don't care."
"I do."
I shoved him into the bathroom, grabbed his towel, and slammed the door shut just as the others walked in.
My heart pounded violently in my chest.