As Shang walked down the hallway toward her classroom, she couldn't ignore the stares.
It was as if everyone was looking at her like she had some kind of disease—something disgusting, something to be avoided.
She knew exactly why.
It was because of what Yuan had done yesterday.
"She's my girlfriend."
With just those words, she had become the center of attention. She didn't understand why Yuan had said that—whether he meant it or if it was just some game to him. But now, she was the one dealing with the consequences.
She kept walking, trying to block out the whispers and side glances. But just as she was nearing her classroom, she suddenly stopped.
At the end of the hallway stood a familiar figure.
Unice.
She was standing there, her back turned, as if she had been waiting. Then, in one slow and deliberate motion, she turned around to face Shang.
And she wasn't alone.
Three other girls stood beside her—girls who looked like they belonged at the top, the kind of people who were used to ruling the school.
Shang's heartbeat quickened.
Is this it?
Was Unice going to start a fight? Would they gang up on her?
But when their eyes finally met, something unexpected happened.
Unice smiled.
And when she spoke, her voice wasn't filled with anger or mockery. Instead, it was soft, calm—almost friendly.
"Shan Jane Cruz, right?"
The students around them exchanged glances.
Shang knew she wasn't the only one surprised.
Was this the real Unice? Or was this just an act because so many people were watching?
Shang still couldn't believe what was happening.
Unice, Yuan's ex, was smiling at her as if they were friends. Her voice was soft, gentle—so different from what Shang expected.
"Let's go to the canteen together," Unice said, her tone light and welcoming.
Shang hesitated.
Something about this didn't sit right with her. After yesterday's chaos, after the stares, the whispers—why was Unice suddenly being nice?
Still, with everyone watching, she had no choice but to nod. "Alright."
—
Inside the canteen, Unice led Shang to a table where three other girls were waiting.
"This is Charmaine," Unice introduced, gesturing toward a girl with sleek dark hair and sharp eyes.
"And this is Justine," she continued, as a girl with auburn hair and an unreadable expression gave Shang a polite nod.
"And finally, Klara," Unice finished, motioning to the last girl, who flashed Shang a small but seemingly genuine smile.
The three of them seemed friendly enough—too friendly, in fact.
Shang sat stiffly across from them, her instincts screaming at her to stay alert. She had been in enough situations to know that sometimes, the sweetest smiles hid the sharpest knives.
"So, Shang," Charmaine started, her tone casual but her eyes watchful. "We were just talking about you."
"Oh?" Shang raised an eyebrow.
Justine leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Yeah. We were curious… how did you and Yuan really end up together?"
The question sent an uncomfortable chill down Shang's spine.
Unice just smiled, stirring her drink slowly. "Yes, I'd love to hear that story too."
And just like that, Shang knew—this wasn't just a friendly chat.
It was a test.
Before Shang could even open her mouth to respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Hey, babe."
Her heart nearly stopped.
All heads turned as Yuan suddenly appeared, effortlessly cool as always. He slid beside Shang without hesitation, draping an arm over the back of her chair, his presence commanding the attention of everyone at the table.
Shang stiffened. Babe? Since when did they start using pet names?
Yuan smirked as if enjoying her reaction. He leaned in closer, his voice dripping with amusement. "Did you miss me?"
Shang shot him a glare. "What are you doing here?" she muttered under her breath.
Yuan ignored her, instead turning his attention to Unice and her friends. "Oh, hey, Unice. Didn't expect to see you all here." His tone was light, playful even, but there was an underlying sharpness to it—one only Unice would recognize.
Unice, to her credit, remained composed. If she was affected by Yuan's sudden display of affection toward Shang, she didn't show it. Instead, she gave a sweet smile. "We just invited Shang to sit with us. We were having a little chat."
"Really?" Yuan raised an eyebrow, pulling Shang even closer to him. "That's nice. But if you're going to talk about our relationship, shouldn't I be included in the conversation?"
Shang felt her face heat up as Yuan casually played with the ends of her hair. The way he acted—as if they were actually a couple—was making her heart race.
Justine and Charmaine exchanged looks, while Klara simply watched with quiet curiosity.
Unice, on the other hand, held her polite smile, though Shang swore she saw the flicker of something else in her eyes—something restrained.
"I suppose that's fair," Unice said smoothly, taking a sip of her drink. "Though, I think we were just curious, that's all."
"Curiosity is dangerous," Yuan mused, his fingers lightly brushing against Shang's hand. "Especially when it's about things that don't really concern you."
Unice chuckled softly, effortlessly masking any jealousy she might have felt. "Of course. We wouldn't want to pry too much."
Shang, still reeling from Yuan's boldness, finally managed to push his arm off. "Stop it," she muttered under her breath, though the warmth on her cheeks betrayed her.
Yuan just grinned, clearly pleased with himself. He had successfully ruffled some feathers—and Unice knew it.
"Well," Unice said, standing up gracefully, her friends following suit. "It was nice chatting with you, Shang. Maybe we can do this again sometime."
Shang barely managed to nod as Unice and the girls walked away, her stomach twisting in confusion.
Once they were gone, she turned to Yuan, who was looking far too satisfied with himself.
"What the hell was that?" she demanded.
Yuan shrugged, completely unbothered. "Just making sure you're comfortable, babe."
Shang groaned. "Stop calling me that."
Yuan leaned in, his voice dropping into a teasing whisper. "Why? Are you starting to like it?"
Shang wanted to smack that smug smile off his face.
The worst part? She didn't know the answer to that question.
Inside the Ladies' Room
As soon as Unice and her friends entered the restroom, the friendly mask she had been wearing shattered.
She slammed her hands against the sink, gripping the edge tightly as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her breathing was sharp, her eyes filled with something dark—anger, frustration, and something she refused to admit… jealousy.
"Unice…" Justine hesitated, watching her carefully.
"I'm fine," Unice snapped, though her clenched fists said otherwise.
Charmaine crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "Really? Because you didn't look fine back there. You were smiling, but I swear your eyes were ready to murder someone."
Unice closed her eyes, inhaling deeply before exhaling slowly. When she opened them, her expression had softened, but her voice was laced with irritation.
"I just… wasn't expecting that."
Klara tilted her head. "That Yuan would be all over Shang?"
Unice's jaw tightened.
The image replayed in her head—Yuan casually draping his arm around Shang, whispering things only she could hear, acting so comfortable with her. It made Unice's stomach twist in the worst way possible.
"That wasn't just for show," Justine murmured, watching Unice's reaction closely. "You saw it too, right? The way Yuan looked at her? That wasn't just some game."
Unice whipped around, glaring. "You think he actually likes her?"
Charmaine shrugged. "Does it matter? Whether it's real or not, the fact is, he made the move, and she didn't push him away hard enough."
Klara sighed, fixing her lipstick in the mirror. "So what's the plan? You're not seriously going to just let this happen, are you?"
Unice straightened up, flipping her hair over her shoulder, her usual grace returning. When she turned back to face her friends, the sweet, composed Unice was back—but this time, there was a sharpness behind her smile.
"Of course not," she said smoothly. "Yuan may have played his little game today, but he's mine."
She glanced at her reflection once more before turning to the girls.
"And Shang? She's just a phase."
Her voice was light, but the underlying venom was unmistakable.
"She won't last."
As Shang and Yuan walked side by side down the hallway, the whispers of students filled the air. Eyes followed them—some curious, some envious, and some just waiting for drama to unfold.
Shang tried her best to ignore the attention, but deep inside, she still couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort. She wasn't used to being the center of gossip, especially after Yuan's unexpected boyfriend announcement.
Meanwhile, Yuan looked completely unbothered. He walked confidently, one hand casually tucked into his pocket while the other occasionally brushed against Shang's. Whether intentional or not, she wasn't sure.
As they neared their classroom, a figure was already waiting outside.
Shawn.
His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable—but the moment his gaze landed on Yuan, there was something cold and sharp beneath his eyes.
"We need to talk," Shawn said firmly, directing his words at Yuan.
Shang felt a shift in the atmosphere.
The tension between the two was almost suffocating.
Yuan, on the other hand, simply raised a brow, his usual cocky smirk appearing.
Shawn exhaled sharply, clearly holding back his irritation. He then glanced at Shang briefly before shifting his focus back to Yuan.
"It's important."
Yuan scoffed, tilting his head slightly before turning to Shang. "Babe, go inside first. I'll catch up." His voice was gentle, but there was an underlying authority in it—like he expected her to listen.
Shang frowned slightly. She hated how he said it like she had no choice.
But seeing the way Shawn's expression darkened and knowing that this conversation wasn't just a casual one, she decided not to argue.
"…Fine."
With one last glance at both of them, Shang entered the classroom, leaving Yuan and Shawn standing face to face.
The moment the door shut behind her, Shawn took a step closer to Yuan, his voice low and firm.
"What the hell are you playing at, Yuan?"
Shawn clenched his jaw, eyes burning with frustration. "What the hell are you doing, Yuan?" His voice was low but firm, filled with suppressed anger.
Yuan, ever so relaxed, simply leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. A smirk played on his lips, his usual arrogance showing. "Nothing. I just want to play."
Shawn's brows furrowed deeper. "Play?"
Yuan chuckled, shaking his head slightly before looking Shawn straight in the eye. "I want Unice to suffer. I want her to feel what it's like to have her heart torn apart. I want to wound her heart… I want revenge."
There was a dangerous glint in Yuan's eyes. This wasn't just about Shang—it was something deeper, something more personal.
Shawn exhaled sharply, stepping closer. "Are you out of your mind? You know what she's capable of, Yuan." His voice dropped lower, more serious. "You know Unice. You know what she can do. And you're dragging Shang into this?"
Yuan didn't flinch. Instead, his smirk widened. "Why do you care?" His tone was teasing, but there was a challenge behind it. He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as if he was studying Shawn. Then, in a quieter, taunting voice, he added—
"You like Shang, don't you?"
Shawn froze.
For a moment, silence filled the space between them.
Yuan's smirk deepened. "That's it, isn't it?"
Shawn's fists clenched at his sides, his body stiff.
He could lie. He should lie. But the way Yuan was looking at him—as if he already knew the answer—made it feel useless.
Yuan chuckled again, his voice dripping with amusement. "So, that's why you're acting like some knight in shining armor." He leaned in slightly. "You like her, don't you?"
Shawn's breathing was heavy, his heart pounding.
Yes.
But he couldn't say it.
POV: The Brotherhood of Shawn and Yuan
From the start, Shawn and Yuan were inseparable. The boy next door duo—the type of guys everyone either admired or envied.
Shawn, the mischievous one, always had a grin plastered on his face. He was the life of the party, the guy who could talk his way out of trouble, and sometimes, into it.
Yuan, on the other hand, was the balanced one. Kind, reliable, yet with a streak of playfulness that only Shawn could match. If Shawn was the fire, Yuan was the calm wind—steady but unpredictable when provoked.
Together, they were unstoppable. Best friends. Brothers.
But then came her.
Unice.
Yuan fell hard. The kind of love that made him blind, made him a fool. He gave her everything—gifts, time, effort. If she so much as whispered a wish, he would make it come true.
And Shawn?
Shawn watched from the sidelines, shaking his head, but never saying a word. Because Yuan was happy. And if Yuan was happy, then that was enough.
Until it wasn't.
—
The Betrayal
The music was deafening, the bass shaking the floor of the crowded bar. Neon lights flashed, illuminating the sea of bodies dancing and drinking like there was no tomorrow.
Yuan wasn't supposed to be there that night.
But something felt off. Unice had been acting distant—canceled dates, unanswered texts, half-hearted smiles.
So, he followed his gut.
And there she was.
His Unice.
With another man's lips pressed against hers.
Yuan's breath caught in his throat. His mind refused to process what his eyes were seeing.
Unice's hands were tangled in the guy's hair, her body pressed close—too close. She wasn't drunk. She wasn't being forced.
She was kissing him back.
His heart shattered.
The world around him blurred as rage bubbled in his chest. He marched forward, fists clenched, vision clouded with fury.
But then, she laughed.
A soft, flirtatious giggle—one he thought was only meant for him.
And that's when it hit him.
She never loved me.
All those months of devotion, the sleepless nights spent planning surprises, the way he made a fool of himself just to see her smile—it was all a lie.
The rage drained from his body, replaced by a cold, hollow emptiness.
He turned around and walked away.
And that was the night something inside Yuan Wei died.
Shang sat beside Elise, staring blankly at her desk. Everything around her felt like a blur—the loud chatter of her classmates, the occasional bursts of laughter, the scraping of chairs against the tiled floor. But inside her head, there was only one thought.
What have I gotten myself into?
She thought transferring to this school would be a fresh start. A chance to live a normal life, away from the past she desperately wanted to forget. But now, thanks to Yuan's impulsive declaration, she was suddenly the center of attention—for all the wrong reasons.
She sighed and turned to Elise, who was watching her with an amused yet concerned expression.
"You okay?" Elise asked, nudging her lightly.
Shang groaned and buried her face in her arms. "Why does it feel like my life just took a sharp turn into a disaster?"
Elise chuckled. "Well, you did suddenly become the fake girlfriend of Yuan Wei, aka the most talked-about guy in school. What did you expect?"
Shang lifted her head, narrowing her eyes at Elise. "I didn't expect anything! I didn't even agree to it! He just announced it like it was some sort of grand proclamation, and now everyone is looking at me like I have some sort of contagious disease."
Elise smirked. "That's because every girl in this school either wants to be with Yuan or has dreamed about him at least once."
Shang rolled her eyes. "Well, they can have him. I don't want any part of this mess."
Elise leaned closer, lowering her voice. "But… don't you think it's a little interesting?"
Shang frowned. "What do you mean?"
Elise grinned mischievously. "I mean, if Yuan really just wanted to get back at Unice, why you? He could've picked anyone—someone popular, someone who would enjoy the attention. But he chose you."
Shang fell silent.
She hadn't thought about that.
Why her?
Outside the school campus, the small coffee shop buzzed with the soft hum of conversations and the occasional clinking of cups against saucers. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, offering a temporary escape from the chaos of the day.
Shang and Elise sat by the window, each with a cup of coffee in hand. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the streets outside.
Elise stirred her drink absentmindedly before glancing at Shang, who was quietly sipping her coffee, deep in thought.
"So…" Elise started, leaning in slightly. "Are you ever gonna tell me the real reason you transferred here?"
Shang tensed for a second but quickly masked it with a small smile. "I already told you. My family moved, so I had to transfer."
Elise raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah. That's what you said. But I don't buy it."
Shang sighed, placing her cup down. "Why are you so curious?"
Elise smirked. "Because I can tell there's more to the story. And because I like to know things."
Shang hesitated. She had been careful not to let anyone in on her past. She came here to start over, not to dig up old wounds. But something about Elise's persistence—her genuine concern—made her waver.
After a moment, she looked away, staring at the steam rising from her cup. "Let's just say… my old school wasn't exactly the best place for me anymore."
Elise frowned. "Did something happen?"
Shang forced a chuckle. "You're really nosy, you know that?"
Elise grinned. "Of course. That's why I make a great friend."
Shang shook her head but didn't answer. Some things were better left buried.
For now.
The cozy atmosphere of the coffee shop was suddenly interrupted by the unmistakable roar of two high-end engines pulling up outside. Elise, mid-sip of her coffee, raised an eyebrow and glanced out the window.
"Oh great," she muttered, setting her cup down. "Looks like trouble just arrived."
Shang didn't need to look. She already had a feeling who it was.
And she was right.
Yuan and Shawn stepped out of their respective luxury cars, instantly drawing attention from everyone around. Yuan, with his usual effortless confidence, ran a hand through his hair before shoving his hands into his pockets. Shawn, on the other hand, had his signature smug smirk—but there was something different in his eyes. A flicker of something unreadable as he spotted Shang.
"Seriously?" Shang groaned under her breath. "Why are they everywhere?"
Elise, clearly entertained, leaned forward. "I don't know, but damn, girl, you've got some rich boys tailing you like lost puppies."
Before Shang could respond, the door swung open, and the two walked in like they owned the place.
The moment Yuan's gaze locked onto her, he grinned. "Babe," he called out, loud enough for the entire coffee shop to hear. "Didn't think I'd find you here."
Shang stiffened. Right. Fake boyfriend.
Shawn scoffed under his breath and slid into the chair across from Elise, his movements a little sharper than usual. "Tch. You sure act like a real one."
Yuan smoothly took the seat next to Shang, draping an arm over the back of her chair. "So, what are you two talking about?"
Shang shot him a glare. "None of your business."
Shawn leaned back, forcing a smirk. His grip on his coffee cup was a little too tight. His jaw clenched ever so slightly when Yuan shifted closer to Shang.
Elise, ever the instigator, grinned. "Well, this just turned into a cute little double date."
Shawn let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, right." But he wasn't looking at Elise. His eyes were glued to the way Yuan leaned just a little closer to Shang, the way her body tensed but didn't pull away fast enough.
Yuan smirked, tilting his head. "I mean, you can third-wheel if you want, Shawn."
Shawn let out a scoff, but something flickered in his gaze—something unreadable. "I think you mean you're the third wheel, dude."
Shang blinked, confused by the tension between them. Elise, however, caught on immediately, hiding her smirk behind her coffee cup.
Yuan chuckled, completely unfazed. "Funny. Last I checked, I'm the one dating her."
Shawn let out a breathy laugh, but there was no humor in it. His fingers tapped against the table, a clear sign that something was bothering him. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that."
For some reason, Shang felt her heart skip a beat at his words.
What the hell was going on?
Shang was sitting at her desk, surrounded by open notebooks and scattered papers, trying to finish her assignments. The soft glow of her study lamp illuminated the room, casting shadows on the walls.
Her mind, however, kept drifting elsewhere. To the ridiculous situation she had gotten herself into. To Yuan's boldness. To Shawn's strange behavior at the coffee shop.
Before she could shake off her thoughts and refocus, her phone buzzed.
She glanced at it, expecting a message from Elise or maybe even Yuan. But instead, an unfamiliar number flashed on her screen.
Unknown Number: Still awake?
Her brows furrowed. She hesitated for a moment before typing back.
Shang: Who's this?
A few seconds later, another message came in.
Unknown Number: Someone who knows you more than you think.
A chill ran down her spine.