I was behind the arts building, helping my group prep for a presentation, when mine came in—along with everyone else’s.
The moment the file name flashed across my screen, everything inside me stopped.
I didn’t open it right away.
I was tired of the drama—all of it. But something about this felt... different. Heavy. Like whatever was in it couldn’t be unseen.
And still... I opened it.
The moment I did, my pulse shifted.
Same setting. Noah’s apartment. Same camera angle.
But this time, the room wasn’t silent.
This time, we heard everything.
Ava’s voice hit first.
“I’m not playing with you, Noah. Leave the girl alone.”
She was pacing, chest heaving. Her heels hit the hardwood like a ticking clock.
Noah stood by the kitchen counter, arms folded. Cold.
“You don’t get to tell me who
