The lecture hall emptied with the usual noise of shuffling books and low chatter. Liora gathered her notes slowly, not wanting to draw attention to herself. Ethan was beside her, offering that easy smile that always made her shoulders relax.
"Don't stress so much," he said lightly, bumping her arm. "You did fine today."
She gave a small laugh, brushing her hair back. "I nearly mixed up half the formulas. 'Fine' is generous."
"You're too hard on yourself." Ethan tilted his head, studying her. "You're actually smarter than most of the class."
Her cheeks warmed at his sincerity. It had been a long time since anyone spoke to her like that. Someone who didn't expect her to fail. Someone who didn't want to see her fall.
But the moment felt too fragile, too dangerous.
And then—
"Isn't this sweet."
Liora froze. Her stomach dropped at the familiar, cold drawl behind her.
Adrian.
He leaned casually against the doorway, arms crossed, his dark eyes locked on the two of them. His presence filled the space instantly, silencing the last few students who lingered. They slipped past quickly, leaving the three of them alone.
Ethan straightened, his jaw tightening. "Adrian."
Adrian's gaze flicked between them. He smirked, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed something else. Something darker. "Study partners? Or… is this something more?"
Liora's breath caught. She hated the way his words curled like poison, pulling attention she didn't want.
"It's none of your business," she muttered, shoving her books into her bag.
Adrian stepped forward, blocking her path with one hand braced against the wall. She flinched at his closeness, the air tightening between them.
"Everything you do in this school is my business," he said lowly, so only she and Ethan could hear. "Don't forget where you live, Liora."
Her pulse spiked. He wasn't just threatening her here. He was reminding her of the mansion. His territory. His rules.
"Back off, Adrian." Ethan's voice cut through the tension. His calm was gone, replaced with steel. He moved closer, positioning himself slightly in front of Liora. "You don't get to treat her like this."
Adrian's smirk deepened, but his eyes burned with something more dangerous. "Look at you. Playing knight in shining armor." He tilted his head. "Tell me, Ethan… is she really worth it?"
Ethan didn't waver. "Yes."
The single word hit Liora like a shock. For a moment, her chest ached with something she couldn't name.
Adrian, however, looked as if someone had slapped him. The smirk slipped for half a second before he caught it. His hand curled into a fist against the wall, the crack of his knuckles loud in the silence.
Liora swallowed hard, stepping around Ethan. "I don't need your games, Adrian." Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to meet his eyes. "Stay out of my way."
For once, he didn't have a sharp comeback ready. He just stood there, staring, his mask cracking in ways he didn't understand.
And when Ethan gently guided her out of the hallway, Adrian was left alone.
Alone with the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Alone with the unfamiliar, unbearable twist of jealousy clawing at his chest.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.