The midday light poured into Theo’s café like lazy silk. Noah sat curled in a corner booth, face buried in his arms over a half-eaten cinnamon roll and untouched espresso.

  He hated coffee.

  Across from him, Theo wiped down the counter while watching Noah from the corner of his eye. He finally sighed, threw the cloth over his shoulder, and walked over.

  “You gonna keep sulking like a heartbroken raccoon,” Theo said, “or are you gonna tell him?”

  Noah looked up, eyes rimmed red. “Tell him what?”

  “That you’re in love with him.”

  Noah scoffed. “He’s engaged. To Sarah.”

  Theo slid into the seat across him. “You know what I think? Sarah knows. She’s always known. That’s why she plays this game. She wants to own him completely.”

  Before Noah could reply, his phone buzzed. Sarah.

  Theo leaned in to see the name. “Oh no. This has villain energy written all over it.”

  Noah picked up, reluctantly. Sarah’s voice crackled through.

  “Noah… hey, can you pick me up from Adrian’s apartment? Long night…”

  “Sure,” Noah muttered.

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  He hung up.

  Adrian’s apartment – 15 minutes later

  The apartment was warm, sun-drenched, cozy in a way that felt personal.

  Noah stepped inside to the sound of laughter.

  Adrian and Sarah sat on the couch, two mugs steaming between them. Sarah leaned into Adrian’s shoulder, giggling at something he’d said.

  They looked like the cover of a perfect love story.

  Noah stood frozen. His chest ached.

  Adrian looked up, his smile easy, warm. “Noah! Coffee?”

  Noah nodded, though he didn’t want any. Adrian disappeared into the kitchen.

  Sarah turned to him, lips curled. “So… do you like coffee now?”

  He stayed silent.

  She went on. “Last night was wild. Adrian got so drunk, he could barely walk. Thankfully, Matt was there to drive us. I stayed over, obviously.”

  Her voice was light, playful. But her eyes — there was something coiled in them. Something serpentine.

  Adrian returned with a mug and kissed Sarah lightly on the head.

  “She made breakfast,” he said. “Best omelet I’ve had in years.”

  Sarah gave him a sweet smile, but Noah saw the flicker of guilt.

  He also knew the truth — Sarah always cooked after doing something wrong. It was her way of patching guilt with spice and garnish.

  Adrian added, “Matt left just a little while ago.”

  Noah’s heart twisted.

  He sipped the bitter coffee. His throat burned.

  After a few more minutes, he stood. “Let’s go, little sister. I’ve got work.”

  In the car – silent drive. Then, Sarah broke the silence.

  “You’re unusually quiet today.”

  Noah kept his eyes on the road. “Did you do it?” he asked softly.

  Sarah didn’t respond at first. Then, she turned toward him sharply. “How dare you accuse me of infidelity?”

  He looked at her, steady and unreadable.

  She continued. “My heart belongs to Adrian.”

  A long pause.

  Then she added, voice colder: “But my body? My body belongs to me. And I intend to do whatever I want with it.”

  Her eyes flashed with something dark. Not shame. Not regret.

  Power.

  Noah felt the chill creep down his spine.

  He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

  Sarah smiled, almost sweetly. “Drive, Noah. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”