Wicked Ties

New Temptations

The campus was buzzing with the usual energy of students rushing between classes, the hum of conversation and laughter filling the air. But for Willow, everything felt muted, like she was walking through a fog. It had been weeks since the trio had decided to take a break, and though she’d immersed herself in her art, the void left by Hael and Lolly still gnawed at her. The sense of loss hung over her and she couldn’t shake it.

She was sitting in the art studio, her hands covered in paint as she worked on a new piece, when a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"That’s incredible," the voice said.

Willow looked up, startled, and found herself face-to-face with a fellow art student she recognized from class—Ethan. He had sandy brown hair, a relaxed smile, and a confident ease about him. He often sat in the back of the studio, his own work abstract and experimental, much like Willow’s.

"Thanks," Willow said, wiping her hands on a rag. She glanced at the canvas, her brush strokes jagged and full of tension, a reflection of the emotions she was struggling to contain. "It’s still a work in progress."

Ethan stepped closer, his eyes lingering on the painting. "I can feel it. There’s a lot of emotion in your work. You’re not afraid to be raw. That’s rare."

Willow shifted uncomfortably, unused to the attention. "I just paint what I feel."

"And what do you feel?" Ethan asked, his tone soft but curious.

Willow hesitated, her thoughts drifting to Hael and Lolly. "A lot of things. It’s... complicated."

Ethan nodded as if he understood. He leaned against the table next to her, his gaze never leaving hers. "Sometimes, the best way to deal with complicated feelings is to let them out through art. But it’s also important to have someone to talk to. Someone who gets it."

Willow met his eyes, sensing the subtle shift in his tone. She appreciated the way Ethan saw her art, the way he understood the emotions behind it, but something inside her held back. Despite the ease of their conversation, despite the fact that Ethan seemed genuinely interested in her, the wound of her relationship with Hael and Lolly was still fresh.

"Maybe," she replied, keeping her voice neutral.

Ethan smiled, standing up straight. "If you ever need to talk, I’m around. Or we could grab a coffee sometime—just as friends."

Willow smiled politely, unsure how to respond. She could sense that Ethan wanted more than friendship, and part of her was tempted by the idea of someone who saw her for who she was—someone uncomplicated. But another part of her couldn’t shake the feelings she still felt for Hael and Lolly, even if they were miles apart emotionally.

"I’ll think about it," she said finally, turning back to her painting as Ethan nodded and walked away.

Meanwhile, across campus, Lolly was sitting at a trendy café, sipping on an iced latte while scrolling through her phone. Her influencer career had kept her busy, and while she had thrown herself into it to distract from the mess with Hael and Willow, the spark of excitement she once felt was starting to dim. No matter how many likes, comments, or followers she gained, it couldn’t fill the emptiness that had grown inside her.

As she checked her messages, a new one popped up from Julian, a wealthy admirer she had met at a networking event a few weeks ago. He was older than her by a few years, charming, and extremely well-connected. He’d been sending her gifts, leaving her flattering messages, and promising to help elevate her career to the next level.

Julian: "There’s a launch party at Vortex tonight. VIP. You should come with me. It’ll be good for your brand. You deserve to be seen, Lolly. Let me show you off. xo."

Lolly stared at the message, her finger hovering over the screen. Julian had been persistent, and part of her was flattered by the attention. He was the kind of guy who could open doors for her, the kind of guy who knew how to make things happen. A relationship with him—even a professional one—would boost her status in many ways.

But something about it felt off. She wasn’t naive. She knew what Julian really wanted, and while the allure of fame and success was tempting, the idea of being with someone who saw her as a trophy left a bitter taste in her mouth. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to be that girl—the one who traded authenticity for status.

Her phone buzzed again. Another message from Julian.

Julian: "You’re special. Don’t waste time on people who can’t see that. I’ll pick you up at 8."

Lolly sighed, setting her phone down. For a moment, she considered going. The glamour, the exclusivity, the attention—it was everything she had built her brand on. She craved something more genuine. Something she had once found with Hael and Willow, and the thought of betraying that, even if they were on a break, made her stomach churn.

She quickly typed a response.

Lolly: "Thanks, but I think I’m going to pass. Have fun tonight."

As soon as she hit send, a sense of relief washed over her. She didn’t need Julian’s promises. What she needed was to figure out who she was without the façade.

Hael, meanwhile, was falling deeper into his family’s criminal world. Without Lolly and Willow to anchor him, he found himself slipping back into old habits, the ones he had always promised himself he would avoid.

He stood outside a nightclub in the heart of the city, his hand curled around a cigarette as he watched people come and go. The air was thick with smoke, the neon lights casting a harsh glow over the street. Inside, deals were being made, money exchanged, and Hael’s role in this was becoming harder to deny.

It wasn’t the life he wanted, but it was the life he had been born into. And now, he was being pulled back into the darkness he had fought so hard to escape.

As he flicked the cigarette away, the door to the club swung open, and his brother, Asael, stepped out. Asael was slick, with a sharp suit and a dangerous glint in his eyes. He’d always thrived in the criminal world, embracing the family business without hesitation.

"Ready?" Asael asked, his tone casual, though there was an edge to it.

Hael nodded, his jaw tight. He wasn’t ready. Not for this. Asael clapped him on the back and led him inside, where the pulse of music and the haze of cigarette and weed smoke enveloped them.

Inside the club, Hael moved through the crowd, his mind racing. He glanced around at the faces of those who reveled in the criminal life, he felt an ache deep inside—a longing for the simpler moments he had shared with his babes.

The thought of them, of what they once had, pierced through the fog of temptation. He didn’t want this life. He didn’t want to lose himself even more. But the question gnawed at him—had he already gone too far?

As Asael handed him a drink, Hael hesitated. The drink felt heavy in his hand, like a symbol of the choice before him. He could drown himself in this life, or he could fight to find his way back to the light. Back to Willow and Lolly.

For now, all he could do was drink.