Zoey's POV

At the sound of my voice, Natalia wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before turning around. "Zoey? How did you get in here? You're a guest—you shouldn't be doing this."

I could see the forced smile she was trying to maintain.

"It's okay. I'll help you."

Before Natalia could protest, I'd already rolled up my sleeves and started. She didn't stop me.

The kitchen fell quiet for a while, filled only with the sound of running water and clinking dishes.

"Zoey," Natalia said suddenly. "What Gavin said earlier... please don't take it to heart."

This wasn't the first time she'd said this.

"I know."

"He wasn't always like this, you know. When he was little, he was such a sweet kid. Everyone loved him."

I honestly couldn't connect the Gavin I knew with the person Natalia was describing.

"Then he went to a military academy, and later joined the service. He went on a mission, and when he came back... his whole personality had changed into what you see now."

Natalia's voice grew thick with emotion. I placed the last bowl in the cabinet.

"I'll try to understand him better. I promise."

She glanced at me. "Thank you, Zoey. You're a good person."

I smiled, but my gaze had already drifted to Lawrence in the living room.

Because he respected Gavin, I was willing to try.

When I returned to the living room, Lawrence was sitting on the couch. Seeing me, he casually set his phone aside.

"Let me loosen up your muscles," Lawrence said suddenly, dropping to a crouch.

I jumped, instinctively pulling back. "What are you doing?"

"You've been training all day, and you just spent half an hour standing in the kitchen. Let me give you a massage."

He was always this thoughtful. I stopped resisting and let him work.

Watching Lawrence's gentle, focused expression made my heart swell. He had to love me—right now, he looked exactly like he had when we'd first gotten together.

Adam and Natalia slipped away at some point. The TV was on, but no one was watching.

"Lawrence, what made you think of giving me a massage today?" I asked on a whim. He was always attentive, but this was the first time he'd done something like this.

I felt his thumb slow its circular motions, as if he was thinking about something.

He smiled. "I just thought you looked exhausted. With your competition coming up, I wanted you to relax."

Just then, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it and set it back down.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

"No." Lawrence's grip tightened slightly. "Right now, this is the most important thing."

My heart warmed—but then his phone buzzed again.

This time, Lawrence quickly switched it to silent. Unease crept through me, along with something else. Discomfort.

I knew he didn't want me to see. So I stood up. "Where's the bathroom?"

Lawrence pointed me in the right direction. Maybe I needed to give him some space.

In the bathroom, I stared at my reflection, already spiraling. I tried to calm myself down: 'Lawrence just doesn't like people reading his messages. He's not deliberately hiding anything from me.'

Right then, Ophelia texted me. [There's a party at school. I heard Florence is going. You coming?]

Florence? I thought of Lawrence. Would he go?

No, I reassured myself. I'm at his house right now. How could he possibly go?

I quickly replied to Ophelia and left the bathroom.

The bathroom was near the stairs. Lost in thought, I wasn't watching where I was going. By the time I realized, I'd already walked straight into someone.

I looked up. It was Gavin.

His expression wasn't kind. Remembering Natalia's words, I apologized first. "I'm sorry, Gavin. I didn't see you."

He didn't move. After a few seconds of silence: "You don't pay attention to the road when you're walking."

I bristled. Hadn't he seen me either, had he?

"You didn't exactly see me either," I pointed out. Gavin still didn't react.

I didn't want to argue. "Excuse me."

He shifted half a step aside. Even though I'd promised Natalia I'd be more patient with Gavin, in this moment, I felt nothing but irritation.

When I returned to the living room, Lawrence was nowhere to be seen. Only Adam remained.

"Uncle Adam, where's Lawrence?"

Adam looked at me, a hint of apology in his eyes. "Lawrence got a phone call. Something came up, I think. He said he had to step out, but he'll be back soon."

"Out?" I could barely believe it.

"Yeah. Left just a few minutes ago."

I stood by the couch, suddenly not knowing what to do. How could he just leave me here alone?

I looked down at my outfit—a light blue sweater and skirt I'd changed into before coming here. I definitely hadn't worn this to training, but knowing I'd be meeting Lawrence's parents, I'd made a special trip to the locker room to change.

Now it just looked ridiculous.

Suddenly, I remembered Ophelia's words. Could Lawrence have gone to that party?

Then I thought back to dinner—his phone had been going off constantly. My thoughts spiraled, leaving me unable to sit still.

"Then... maybe I should head back," I said, standing and forcing a smile.

"I'll drive you," Adam said immediately, reaching for his keys.

"No, Uncle Adam, really—I can just call a car. It'll be quick."

I waved him off politely, noticing Gavin standing in the corner. He was watching me calmly.

"It's too late. I'll take you."

"Really, it's fine." I smiled, trying not to look as pathetic as I felt. "I'll call a car. Twenty minutes, tops. Don't worry."

I didn't give him a chance to argue. I walked over to change my shoes. Adam looked at me apologetically. "Zoey, why don't you stay the night?"

Impossible. Tonight had been humiliating enough. I didn't want to stay at the Ashcroft mansion and make this awkwardness even harder to bear.

I shook my head. "Thank you, but I have training tomorrow."

Adam walked me to the door. I declined his offer to wait with me.

Moments after the door closed, it opened again.

Gavin stepped out.

"My mom's worried. She asked me to make sure you get in the car safely."

Same tone as always. But I didn't feel grateful—just embarrassed.

The night wind cut through my sweater. I couldn't help rubbing my arms.

It wasn't terribly late, but the Ashcroft mansion was fairly remote. Getting a ride wouldn't be easy.

After what felt like forever, I finally got a car. I nodded politely at Gavin. "You can go back now. I'm getting in."

He nodded, watching me leave.

The moment I slid into the backseat, I deflated completely. My mind flooded with every detail of my time with Lawrence.

Had he been planning to go to that party all along—just hadn't told me?

I didn't want to think about it. I had other things to focus on. More important things.