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Part 52
Morning sunlight streamed across the campus courtyard, bouncing off glass walls and polished floors. The usual chatter of students filled the air—gossip, laughter, the sound of sneakers rushing to classes. Everything felt ordinary, but for Anna, the ordinary felt strangely fragile.
She stepped out of her car, dressed neatly as always, her long hair falling in soft waves. Ethan was instantly at her side, holding her bag even though she insisted she could carry it herself. His protective energy was impossible to miss—his eyes scanning every group of boys that passed, his shoulders stiff as though expecting trouble again.
"Ethan, relax," Anna whispered, glancing up at him. "You look like you're ready to fight the entire college."
"I am," Ethan muttered, jaw tight. "If anyone even—"
Anna pressed her hand against his arm, her eyes pleading. "I don't want to live scared, okay? Let's… just act normal today."
Before Ethan could answer, a familiar whistle cut through the air. Nick strolled over, his hands tucked into the pockets of his black jacket, that lazy grin on his face. But unlike his usual careless self, his eyes flicked to Anna quickly, as if checking her mood before anything else.
"You survived the night, princess," Nick teased lightly, though his voice lacked its usual sharpness.
Anna smiled faintly. "Barely."
Nick smirked, tilting his head. "Barely's better than not at all." Then he leaned closer, lowering his tone so only she heard. "If anyone tries again, I'll make sure they regret existing. Got it?"
Anna blinked at him, then gave a small nod. For a second, Ethan's arm tightened around her waist as if reminding Nick whose side she was on.
Before the tension could spark, a wave of perfume and high heels clicked across the floor. Kylie Sinclair entered the courtyard like she owned it—her designer dress hugging her perfectly, her diamond earrings catching the sunlight. Heads turned instantly, whispers following her. She didn't glance at most people, only directing her smile toward Nick.
"There you are," Kylie said smoothly, looping her arm through Nick's without hesitation. "I've been looking for you."
Nick raised a brow but didn't pull away. "Well, congratulations, Sinclair. You found me."
Kylie laughed softly, leaning in closer. "Lucky me."
Anna's stomach twisted, and though she kept her face neutral, Ethan noticed immediately. He lowered his lips near her ear and murmured, "Ignore them."
But ignoring was hard. Everywhere Anna looked, Kylie was glued to Nick's side—talking, laughing, even brushing invisible dust off his jacket sleeve. Students whispered louder now: "Are Nick and Kylie a thing?" "Perfect match—the hottest guy and the richest girl."
Anna's throat tightened. She'd told Nick before that she didn't like him, that she loved Ethan. She had set this distance herself. And yet watching Kylie, so effortlessly close to him, burned more than she wanted to admit.
Classes passed slowly, but at lunch break, the storm built again. The cafeteria buzzed with energy—students clustering at tables, trading gossip about the upcoming fashion competition.
Anna sat with Ethan, but her eyes kept drifting across the room where Nick and Kylie sat together. Kylie was laughing at something Nick had just said, her manicured hand resting lightly on his arm. He didn't move it. He didn't even look uncomfortable.
Ethan noticed her distraction and frowned. "Anna."
She turned quickly, forcing a smile. "Hmm?"
"You're staring," he said flatly.
"I'm not," Anna lied, her cheeks heating.
"Good," Ethan muttered. He reached for her hand on the table and squeezed it firmly, his eyes burning with possessive fire. "Because you're mine. Not his. Remember that."
Anna gave a small nod, but her heart felt heavier than she wanted.
Meanwhile, at Nick's table, Kylie leaned closer. "You know," she said softly, "people keep saying we look good together. Don't you think?"
Nick chuckled, leaning back in his chair, his eyes flicking briefly toward Anna before answering. "Maybe. But I don't care what people say."
Kylie smirked. "Good. Because I don't either."
From across the cafeteria, Anna saw it—saw Kylie's hand brushing Nick's, saw the closeness, saw the ease. Her fork clattered against her plate, and Ethan's eyes narrowed instantly.
The day wasn't dramatic like last night. But jealousy had a way of cutting deeper than fear. And for Anna, sitting there between Ethan's possessive warmth and Nick's careless closeness with Kylie, the world suddenly felt anything but ordinary.
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