I didn't eat last night.

I couldn't. Not after what I heard yesterday.

I was numb. Empty. Lost.

I couldn't think or even focus. I left work earlier yesterday, and I told Rick I'd be bringing in my sick leave. I needed some time and as much as it hurt-I didn't want to see them.

They hurt me.

I hugged my knees to my chest, staring at the wall as if it could tell me a secret. My thoughts spun in circles, each one sharper than the last. Why them? Why me?

I wanted to disappear.

I wanted to crawl under the mattress and never come out.

But somewhere in the back of my mind, a tiny voice whispered...

They weren't done with me yet.

And that was stupid to think.

The house was empty. My aunt was out and my uncle left earlier. I'm glad I was alone-I could be in my thoughts without any interruptions.

The silence pressed in around me, heavy and unforgiving. No TV. No music-just the sound of my own breathing. I sank onto the edge of the mattress, fingers twisting into the hem of my shirt.

Everything replayed in my head, over and over. Their laughter. Their voices. The way those girls said their names so easily, like they belonged to them.

I stared at the floor, my chest tight. I felt stupid for believing it-believing them. For letting myself feel special, chosen.

I'd let my guard down.

Never again.

I wiped at my face, standing slowly, as if I might shatter if I moved too fast. Whatever that was between us-whatever I thought it meant-it was over now. I didn't know how I'd face them when the time came, but I knew one thing for sure.

I wouldn't be the same girl they met.

I made my way to the bathroom and stripped my clothes. Why would they want me anyway? My body was ugly. Small boobs. Small hips. Ugly scars. Rough hair.

I was everything their women were not. And that reality hurt.

I stepped into the shower and twisted the knob, flinching when cold water hit my skin before I eventually adjusted to it. I scrubbed at my skin harder than necessary, as if I could wash the feeling away. The voices. The laughter. The way their words stuck to me like grime I could not rinse off. Water streamed down my face and I did not bother wiping it away. It all felt the same anyway.

I rested my forehead against the tiled wall, breathing slowly, counting each inhale until my chest stopped hurting so much. This was easier. The noise of the water. The emptiness. No pretending. No hoping.

After a while, my fingers pruned and my limbs felt heavy. I shut off the water and reached for a blouse, pressing it to my body. The bathroom felt too quiet now.

I was drying my hair when the sound came.

A knock.

Sharp. Sudden.

Who could it be?

For a brief second, I thought maybe one of my uncle's friends had stopped by. Someone looking for him.

I pulled on some clothes and left my room. I made my way to the front door and opened it. I reached for the handle and opened it.

My breath left me all at once.

I froze.

Stefan.

Zae.

Standing there.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, too sharply.

Stefan opened his mouth, but I didn't wait.

"Come in," I said quickly, glancing down the street. "Please."

Confusion crossed both their faces, but they stepped inside without question. I shut the door behind them and locked it, my hands shaking so badly I fumbled with the latch.

Silence filled the house.

I leaned back against the door, chest rising too fast, eyes darting everywhere except at them.

Zae broke it first. "Kae, what's going on?"

"I just didn't want anyone to see you," I said. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "That's all."

Stefan frowned. "See us?"

I pushed away from the door and walked past them, keeping my distance. The space felt smaller with both of them in it. Too full. Too heavy.

"You shouldn't be here," I added quietly.

Neither of them spoke.

I could feel their eyes on me. Watching. Not touching. Not yet.

And somehow, that made it worse.

"Love," Stefan said, taking a step forward. "Rick said you left work early yesterday. Are you sick?"

I wanted to speak. I wanted to shout. I wanted to confront them. But I kept my mouth shut and my eyes lowered.

"Angel, what's wrong?"

I wanted to laugh. To just laugh in their faces that I figured out their scheme. But I didn't.

Stefan stopped a few feet away from me.

"Kae," he said softly.

I flinched.

Zae noticed. I felt it before I saw it. His posture shifted, the easy calm draining from him. "Did something happen at work?"

My fingers curled into the hem of my hoodie. I shook my head once.

Lying was easier than talking.

Stefan exhaled slowly. "You don't look okay."

I swallowed. My throat felt raw, like I had been screaming for hours even though I hadn't made a sound.

"I'm fine," I whispered.

It came out wrong. Weak. Brittle.

"Kae," Zae said, stepping closer. Not too close. Careful. "Did we do something wrong?"

The question twisted something sharp in my chest.

Did they really not know?

I swallowed. My hands clenched into the hem of my hoodie. If I opened my mouth now, everything would spill out - the girls, the names, the laughter, the lies.

"I just needed time," I said instead. My voice came out thin.

Stefan exhaled, relieved. "You should have told us, love."

Love.

I flinched before I could stop myself.

Zae caught it.

His gaze sharpened, not angry - alert. Like something had shifted and he could feel it but not see it yet.

"You don't usually flinch," he said quietly.

The room went still.

I forced a small shake of my head. "I'm tired."

It was a lie.

But it was safer than the truth.

Silence stretched between us.

Too long.

I lifted my head slowly. My eyes didn't meet theirs right away. I wasn't ready for that.

"I heard some things," I said.

Stefan frowned. "Heard what, love?"

My lips pressed together. My heartbeat was loud in my ears.

"At work," I continued. "Two women."

Zae stiffened.

Stefan's confusion sharpened into focus. "Kae-"

"They said your names," I cut in, my voice steadier than I felt. "Both of them."

The air shifted. Heavier. Tighter.

"They talked about you like you were still theirs," I said quietly.

I finally looked up then.

"I know everything."

Stefan took a step forward. "No. You don't-"

"Don't," I whispered. Not angry. Just tired. "Please."

Zae's jaw clenched. "What exactly do you think you know?"

I swallowed. "That I was a game. That I was something to pass time with."

Stefan shook his head immediately. "Kae, that's not-"

"I heard them," I said again, firmer this time. "Laughing. Bragging."

My voice cracked. I hated that it did.

"You both had women. Real women. Before me. During me."

Silence.

Not denial.

Not yet.

"I just want to know," I whispered. "Was I a joke?"

Stefan shook his head. "Kae, you were never a joke."

My eyes burned and grabbed my hair in fustration. "Lies. All lies. You..."

I pointed between them.

"...you gave me hope. And all this time... you have women. I was so stupid."

I pressed my back against the wall, heart hammering. "I know everything," I said, trying to sound steadier than I felt.

Stefan's eyes sharpened. "Kae... no. That's not true."

Zae stepped closer, hands slightly raised. "Angel, listen. None of what they said is true... it's lies."

"I heard them," I whispered, voice trembling. "They said you're still with them... that-"

"It was just... casual," Stefan interrupted, voice steady. "It didn't mean anything. I'm not with her. None of it was serious."

Zae's gaze softened. "And I can't believe she lied like that. I've never been in a real relationship with her. We're done. Nothing ongoing. We're not together."

I swallowed hard, searching their faces. They meant it. Honest.

"Then why?" I asked quietly, voice cracking. "Why would they say those things?"

"They wanted to stir trouble," Stefan said, shaking his head. "Maybe jealousy. Or pride. Or to get a reaction."

Zae nodded, a small reassuring smile tugging at his lips. "And it almost worked, didn't it? But you know the truth now."

My eyes flicked downwards for a second. How do I know that they're telling the truth?

Stefan took another step closer, his gaze locked on mine. "Kae, look at me. I'd never hurt you like that. Not ever."

Zae mirrored him, his voice gentle but firm. "Same, angel. I care about you. A lot. You're not some game to me."

I swallowed, trying to steady my shaking. Their eyes... they were honest. No smirks, no teasing. Just... concern. And something deeper. Something that made my heart ache a little.

"You're serious?" I whispered, almost afraid to hope.

They both nodded.

Stefan stepped closer, his expression gentle. "Can I... hug you, love?"

I nodded slowly. "O-Okay."

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. I felt Zae hesitate for a moment before stepping in from the other side. "Mind if I join?" he asked softly.

I shook my head. "No... it's okay."

Suddenly, I was sandwiched between them, warm and steady on both sides. Their presence grounded me in a way I hadn't felt in years. Safe. Seen. Wanted. I let out a shaky breath, closing my eyes, letting them hold me.

Then, just like that, the low rumble of a car engine outside made me stiffen.

~