The moment Isabella entered the café, silence followed her like a shadow.
Ethan swore he heard someone whisper "She's even prettier in person" before the rest of the tables collectively decided to pretend they weren't staring.
She walked with practiced ease, her heels clicking softly against the tile. Every step was precise. Every motion deliberate. She reached their table and smiled—genuinely, but with something just slightly off. Something rehearsed.
"Lena," she said smoothly. "Still ranking second, I see."
Lena didn't flinch. "Still pretending this is normal?"
Isabella sat beside Ethan without asking. She placed a velvet envelope on the table.
"What's that?" Ethan asked.
"Our dinner reservation for tonight. You'll need a jacket and a tie. I've already sent options to your house."
Lena raised an eyebrow. "Controlling much?"
Isabella tilted her head. "Prepared. There's a difference."
Ethan glanced between them. He could feel the temperature drop with every word.
"I didn't realize we were holding a debate," he muttered.
Isabella ignored him. Her gaze never left Lena. "You're worried I'll break him."
"I'm worried he'll forget who he is."
"I've spent two years memorizing who he is," Isabella said calmly. "Have you?"
That shut Lena up—for about three seconds.
"Stalking someone doesn't count as love."
"I never said it was love," Isabella replied. "Yet."
Ethan coughed. "Uh. I'm right here, if anyone's wondering."
Neither girl responded.
Lena stood up first. "Just… be careful, Cole. There's a difference between admiration and ownership."
She left without another word.
Isabella sipped from Lena's abandoned coffee like she'd won a duel.
"I don't think that's sanitary," Ethan said.
"She's wrong, you know." Isabella didn't look at him. "I don't want to own you."
"Oh?"
"I want to build something with you. Something that lasts longer than her lectures and your self-doubt."
She finally met his eyes.
"I see your potential, Ethan. More than anyone else ever has."
He didn't know what to say to that. So he said nothing.
Outside, Lena paused beneath the café's awning, phone in hand, watching them through the window.
She wasn't done—not by a long shot.