Rain tapped gently on the windows of Crown Ridge High. The sky had turned pale and moody, as if the city itself felt the tension brewing beneath its perfect surface.
Lynn sat at her desk during homeroom, tapping her pen against a black notebook filled with surveillance notes and personal observations. She'd barely slept—Jordan's message had lingered in her mind far longer than she cared to admit.
He wasn't like Alex.
He wasn't in her world of chaos, politics, and hidden files.
And that's what made him dangerous.
He represented something real. And real? Real could ruin everything.
---
In the gym, Alex was doing pushups when Sam leaned over him with a smirk.
"Dude, when three girls watch you do pushups in slow motion, you know things are out of control."
Alex groaned, standing up. "Not helping."
Sam nodded toward the bleachers.
Sera sat there, crossed legs, sipping iced coffee like she owned the place. Beside her, her three loyal shadows—Fresa, Pauline, and Serenity—were whispering and laughing like they'd already claimed victory.
Alex tried to ignore it.
But then Sera stood, sauntered across the gym, and stopped directly in front of him.
"Still playing bodyguard to Lynn?" she asked, voice sweet but laced with venom.
"Still pretending I care what you think?" he replied evenly.
She tilted her head. "We both know I was your first real temptation. And sooner or later, everyone caves to memory."
He stepped back. "I only look forward."
Sera smiled—but it wasn't warm. "Then you better hope she doesn't turn her head… because Jordan is looking at her like he's already kissed her soul."
---
Later that day, in the art courtyard, Lynn sat beneath the ivy wall, pretending to read while her thoughts churned. Jordan sat a few feet away, charcoal-stained fingers brushing across a sketchpad.
"Lynn?" he finally said, not looking up.
She glanced over.
"I know I shouldn't text you," he continued, "but I can't pretend anymore. I see how he looks at you. How you look back. But I also see when you're alone. You miss something."
She didn't answer.
So he turned the sketchpad around.
A portrait of her.
Not the perfect, poised, elite girl everyone else saw—but a raw version. Hair wind-tossed, eyes fierce but tired, lips caught between defiance and fear.
It was… haunting.
"I drew it last year," Jordan said. "Before you even knew I existed. I saw something in you no one else bothered to look for."
Lynn stared at the sketch, heart pounding.
"That's beautiful," she whispered.
He stepped closer.
"You don't have to choose now. But I'll be here. Not in the shadows. Not waiting. Just… here."
And with that, he walked away.
---
In the parking lot after school, Alex leaned against Lynn's car.
His jaw was clenched.
"You were with him."
She crossed her arms. "I didn't know I needed permission."
He looked away, jaw tight.
"I trust you, Lynn. But I also know the look of a guy who's already halfway in love."
She softened. "You're the only one I think about when the storm hits."
"But storms pass," he said. "What about when the sky clears?"
Silence.
She hated that he had a point.
---
That night, in her room, Lynn pulled out her mother's encrypted notes again. She needed focus. A target. Anything to distract her from the emotional chaos.
Serene entered without knocking.
"You should know," she said, "Sera sent a fake tip to Peter. Said there's a mole in our team."
Lynn shot up. "What?"
"She's playing dirty now. Probably trying to pit you and Alex against each other."
"And Jordan?"
Serene hesitated.
"He's not fake. But that doesn't mean he's not trouble."
Lynn sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples.
"God, why does love feel like war?"
Serene smirked. "Because, sis… it is."
---
Outside, someone stood beneath the tall gates of the Kay estate.
Sera.
Phone in hand.
A call connecting.
"She's getting distracted," she whispered. "You wanted access. I'm giving it to you. Just remember our deal."
A distorted voice responded.
"I always do."
---
Love had never been simple.
Not in City Z.
Not when legacy was a weapon…
…and hearts were just another way to bleed.