AUTHOR’S POV
After the disastrous dinner, Rowan apologized several times to Rhea.
Rhea kept assuring him it was fine, even though her night had been completely ruined. Still… the image of Rowan standing up for her replayed in her mind again and again, vivid as if it had just happened.
But days passed, yet she never caught a glimpse of Rowan.
The only place she could see him now was on his socials.
Every day after school, Rhea would linger by the gate longer than necessary, pretending to adjust her bag while secretly scanning the road. If a car slowed near the curb, her heart leapt instantly.
Maybe it was Rowan.
But each time, the car drove past. It wasn’t him.
The small burst of excitement in her chest would quietly fade, leaving disappointment curling in its place.
Had he chan
