His Brother, My Sin: twins of temptation

ChapterThree

THIRD INSERTION (3)

………

Couples and Secrets

………

As the final bell rang through the lecture hall, noise from shuffling bags and chairs were heard. Melissa remained seated even as every other student rushed out of the lecture hall, pretending to scribble something in her notebook.

“Are you coming to the cafeteria?” A girl’s voice chirped, snapping her out of her pretense, as students began pouring out of the lecture hall.

"In a bit, I need to finish this…" Melissa said almost immediately without lifting her head up. "Professor Walsh gave me something extra." Well, it was a lie, but Melissa did not care.

"Oh, alright..." The girl replied, already halfway down the row with her friends.

Voices echoed as the last students filed out with their usual talk of lunch, parties and even exams.

“… I swear, if I hear one more thing about that Friday mixer…”

“… come on, it’s the last big thing before midterms.”

“… still, I really need sleep, not shots.”

Melissa allowed their voices to fade as she stared blankly at her near-empty notebook, and she finally closed it, letting out a slow sigh.

She stood up slowly, slipping her journal into her bag and quickly looked around. "No Chloe again." She muttered under her breath, glancing at the empty seat beside hers. "This must be fate."

As she stepped into the hallway, another group passed her. “… you have seen Melissa?” one of the girls whispered just loud enough. “… she’s always ducking lately, do you think something’s going on?”

Melissa didn’t look back, instead, she walked faster. Avoiding her usual lunch group was becoming a routine, but today, her excuse was more than just exhaustion — it was more than that because she needed to see him.

She exited through the side doors of the building and changed direction towards the science wing. This was a quieter route that was shaded by tall trees and lined with garden paths.

Outside, sunlight shone brightly over the stone pathways. Some campus couples lounged under old oak trees, holding hands and exchanging sweet words. Music was heard a portable speaker from a nearby bench where a small group of students relaxed as their laughter rose above the soft music.

A couple passed her with their fingers intertwined. The girl giggled, brushing a kiss to her boyfriend’s cheek and, as usual, Melissa looked away.

"So easy…" She whispered. “— for everyone else.”

She cut away from the main path, turning toward the science wing. The crowd had reduced, and she slowed down her pace as trees arched overhead.

Her sneakers crunched lightly against the gravel trail behind the labs. This was a secret route that only a few students who needed privacy or peace knew.

Then she heard her phone buzzing.

She pulled it out quickly, hesitated before unlocking it. Her thumb hovered over the message as her lips curled slightly.

Jordan: The backdoor is open, I can't wait to see you.

"… still waiting." She murmured to herself. "— of course you are."

She clutched her bag tighter and as her steps carried her deeper down the gravel path, a lone squirrel darted past her shoes, startling her.

"Jesus…" She hissed with a nervous laugh, placing a hand over her chest. "— don’t give me a heart attack."

Soon, she reached the back entrance of the media building and paused, staring at the door.

Her fingers curled around the handle, then stopped. "Get it together…" She told herself softly. "No overthinking, just go."

— and she did.

Melissa slipped through the cracked door of the old music room and allowed it close behind her with a gentle click.

The scent of aged wood, forgotten sheet music and faint cologne hit her immediately as she walked in, which made her smile.

Jordan stood by the upright piano, his black jacket draped over a chair. His dark hair was slightly tousled like he had been running his hands through it because he was feeling nervous, maybe.

But the moment he saw her, his entire posture softened. "You’re late..." He teased, though his voice was quiet and warm.

"I had Literature…" She said and dropped her bag by the door and stepped toward him. "Professor Hargrove wouldn’t stop talking about tragic love stories."

"Well, that sounds fitting." He murmured as he reached for her hand and pulled her into him.

Melissa tucked her head beneath his chin, listening to the steady beat of his heart. His arms were wrapped securely around her waist as his fingers pressed into the curve of her spine.

Here, in this hidden room forgotten by the rest of the world, she wasn’t the daughter of an Omega, she wasn’t whispered about, judged or watched — she was just… Melissa.

"I missed you…" She whispered with a soft smile.

Jordan exhaled into her hair. "I missed you more..." He whispered slowly in response.

He pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands as his eyes searched hers with an intensity that always made her breath catch.

"We won’t have to hide much longer." He said, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "I promise, just a little more time."

Melissa wanted to believe him. In fact, part of her did because no one had ever looked at her like Jordan did — like she mattered.

Still, a small flicker of unease stirred in her chest, it was a feeling she couldn’t name. But for now, in his arms, it was easy to forget.

… … …

They lay together on the faded rug under the tall windows, the light from outside dimming slowly with the late afternoon sun. Jordan rested on his side, one hand propped under his head and the other hand was lazily running fingers through Melissa’s hair as she curled against his chest.

She closed her eyes, trying to memorize the rhythm of his heartbeat and the warmth of his body. To her, these were the only moments that felt real. Everything outside this room — from the stares, the whispers to the weight of her mother’s past — it all disappeared when he touched her like this.

"Do you ever think about what it would be like… if we stopped hiding?" She asked softly, breaking the silence between them.

Jordan’s fingers paused for a moment and then resumed. "Of course, I do…" He murmured. "— all the time."

She turned her head up to look at him. "So what are we waiting for?" She whispered as if she was afraid of her own voice.

He blinked twice as his lips were pressed into a thin line before softening. "You know how things are right now, Liss." He told her, his soft tone was enough to convince without making much effort. "The season is intense and Coach is watching everything. I just… I need to wait until the season is over."

Melissa hesitated before speaking. "But what does the season have to do with us?" She asked, her gaze meeting his.

Jordan sighed and shifted, pulling her closer. "It’s not just that, Liss. My brother… Jason is already on edge, if he finds out —" He trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging like a threat.

Melissa frowned slightly but nodded. She didn’t want to fight, not now when their time together was so short. Still, the flicker of doubt, the one she never voiced, continued to grow.

"You’ll tell him eventually, though… right?" She asked, her voice carrying a quiet hope.

"Of course…" He whispered, kissing her forehead. "— I promise, soon."

And she wanted to believe him, she really did.