Eliza didn't wait long after hanging up on Mira.
She dialed another number—this time without softness, without hesitation.
Rina answered on the second ring. "Auntie?"
Eliza's voice came calm, clipped, dangerous. "Tell me what is happening with Ling."
Rina straightened instinctively. She knew that tone. "Nothing serious," she said quickly. "Trip stuff. Ling's just being… Ling."
Silence.
Then—"Don't lie to me."
Rina's throat tightened. "Auntie, it's really not—"
"I spoke to Mira," Eliza cut in. "Fully."
Rina closed her eyes. Damn it.
"She put herself in danger," Eliza continued, every word measured. "Again. Because of that girl."
Rina exhaled slowly, choosing her words with care. "Ling didn't plan anything. Things just… happened."
"That is exactly the problem," Eliza snapped. "Nothing ever 'just happens' with Ling Kwong. Unless she allows it."
Rina tried one last time. "Auntie, Ling's under pressure. University. Expectations. She doesn't even know what she's feeling—"
"And you think that excuses recklessness?" Eliza's voice sharpened. "That excuses letting someone else destabilize her?"
Rina swallowed. "Rhea isn't manipulating her—"
"I didn't say she was manipulating," Eliza replied coldly. "I said she doesn't belong."
There it was. Final. Absolute.
Eliza inhaled, then delivered the order like a verdict. "You are with Ling. You have access. I don't."
Rina's fingers tightened around her phone.
"Your job," Eliza said, "is to make sure Ling stays away from Rhea Nior. I don't care how."
"Auntie—" Rina started, uneasy now.
"You distract her. Anchor her. Remind her who she is," Eliza continued. "You do not let her spiral into something that will destroy her future."
Rina hesitated. "And if Ling doesn't listen?"
Eliza's pause was brief—and chilling.
"Then you protect her from herself," she said. "Even if she hates you for it."
The call ended.
Rina stared at her phone long after the screen went dark.
She loved Ling. Fiercely. Unconditionally.
But for the first time, she felt the weight of something she'd never carried before—
Being asked to stand between Ling Kwong and the one person who had managed to break through her armor.
And Rina knew, deep down, this wasn't going to end cleanly.
Because Ling didn't just like Rhea Nior.
She had already chosen her—
even if she would never admit it out loud.
Otherside Ling didn't knock.
She pushed the flap of the tent aside like it was her right.
Rhea was inside, half-turned, struggling to fasten her top properly. The faint red stain at her waist was still there—darker now. Fresh.
Ling's jaw tightened.
"I told you to take care of it," Ling said flatly.
Rhea didn't look at her. "I didn't ask for your concern."
Ling stepped in anyway, lowering herself in front of her. "Sit."
Rhea laughed, sharp and dismissive. "You don't order me around outside your kingdom, Kwong."
Ling's eyes flicked to the blood again. Something dark crossed her face. "Sit. Before you faint again and I have to carry you."
That did it.
Rhea glared—but she sat.
Ling reached for the antiseptic kit without asking. Her movements were precise, controlled, the same way she handled everything else in her life. Only her hands betrayed her—too careful, too restrained.
"I can do it myself," Rhea snapped.
Ling didn't look up. "Clearly."
She cleaned the area slowly. Rhea hissed when the antiseptic touched the wound, fingers curling into the fabric beside her.
"Stop acting like it hurts," Ling muttered.
Rhea scoffed. "Says the girl who almost cracked her skull saving me."
Ling's hand paused for half a second. Then continued.
"You didn't tell anyone," Ling said, quieter now.
"I don't need sympathy," Rhea replied. "Especially not yours."
Ling finally looked up at her then—eyes dark, unreadable. "This isn't sympathy."
"Then what is it?" Rhea challenged.
Ling didn't answer. She pressed the gauze in place, securing it firmly but gently. Her thumb brushed Rhea's skin once—an accident she didn't acknowledge.
"There," Ling said. "Try not to bleed out. It's inconvenient."
Rhea stared at her. "You're unbelievable."
Ling said, "And yet—you still let me touch you."
Ling's hand was still at Rhea's waist.
Not gripping.
Not pulling away.
Just… there.
Their eyes locked—too close, too aware. Rhea's breath hitched despite herself, and Ling felt it, felt the heat under her palm, felt the dangerous pull she refused to name.
Then—
Clap. Clap.
"Well. This is… cozy."
Rina's voice cut through the moment like a blade.
Ling turned sharply. "What do you want."
Rina leaned against the tent pole, arms crossed, grin wicked. "Relax, Captain Control. I was just checking if you're alive. Didn't expect to find you hovering."
Rhea scoffed instantly, jerking back. "Don't flatter yourself. She was being annoying."
Ling stepped back at the same time, jaw tight. "Nothing happened."
Rina raised an eyebrow. "Of course not."
She tilted her head, eyes flicking between them. "Let me guess—accidental closeness, mutual denial, dramatic silence?"
Rhea snapped, "You're imagining things."
Ling added coldly, "Get out, Rina."
Rina laughed, completely unbothered. "Wow. Both of you denying in perfect sync. Impressive."
She stepped closer, voice dropping into something teasing—but sharp. "You know what's funny? One day you'll both fk eachother and still deny it."
Ling's glare could've frozen fire. "Watch your mouth."
Rina smirked. "Or what? You'll deny harder?"
Rhea stood abruptly. "This conversation is ridiculous."
"Sure," Rina said lightly. "Keep telling yourselves that. While everyone else is fking rotting my brain because of you both."
Then she turned to leave, then tossed one last glance over her shoulder. "Just saying—people who spend this much energy insisting there's nothing going on… usually mean the opposite."
The tent flap fell shut.
Silence rushed back in.
Ling and Rhea stood there, not looking at each other now—both rigid, both breathing a little too fast.
Ling broke it first, voice flat. "She talks too much."
Rhea folded her arms. "You let her."
Ling said nothing.
Because for once, control hadn't been the problem.
Truth had.