Lena's room was like a cozy little haven. Soft lighting, a few scented candles, and pastel walls. A big, fluffy rug swallowed her feet as she lay on the bed, her phone resting loosely in her hand. The diamond ring on her finger caught the light, glittering every so often, but it didn't make her heart sparkle.
"You're engaged now," Riley said, her voice full of that bubbly excitement she always had. She was at the vanity, running a brush through her curls. "That's huge."
Lena smiled. "Yeah. It is."
But Riley wasn't looking, and the smile didn't quite reach Lena's eyes.
"I thought I'd be more… excited," Lena added, running her fingers through her hair. "Instead, I just feel kind of…"
"Trapped?" Riley finished, turning to her with a knowing look.
Lena froze. "I wasn't going to say that."
"But you were thinking it."
Lena laughed awkwardly. "James is great. He's successful, focused, generous…"
"Controlling."
"He just wants what's best for us."
"For you, or for him?"
Lena shot Riley a look. "Why are you being like this? I thought you'd be happy for me."
"I am! I'm happy for you, I just…" Riley walked over and sat on the bed next to her. "I just don't want you to say yes because it's easier than saying no."
"I said yes because I love him," Lena said, her voice firm.
"Okay," Riley said, putting her hands up in mock surrender. "Then we'll toast to love, even if it comes with a tailored suit and a god complex."
Lena snorted, reaching for the wine. "You're impossible."
They clinked glasses. "To love," Riley said with a grin.
"To love," Lena echoed, but there was a tiny hesitation in her voice.
The tension seemed to fade. They giggled about wedding dresses, dreamed up honeymoon spots, and talked about colors that would look good with Lena's skin tone. For a few minutes, life felt simple again.
Then Riley stood up. "Be right back. My bladder is about to explode."
She headed toward the bathroom, humming a tune. Lena stretched out, sipping the last of her wine. Her mind was buzzing, but it all came to a halt when Riley's phone buzzed on the bed.
Lena didn't mean to look. But she did.
The screen lit up: James – "Sent."
Lena frowned. Sent?
A chill ran down her spine. She wasn't snooping—she hadn't even touched the phone. But her mind raced. Why was James texting Riley? And what did "Sent" mean?
"Hey, Riley," she called, trying to sound casual. "You got a message from… James."
The bathroom door creaked open. "Oh, yeah?" Riley's voice was light, but there was a slight rush to it. "He's probably talking about some party. I think he's planning a surprise for you."
Lena blinked. "A surprise?"
"Yeah." Riley grabbed her phone and slipped it into her pocket. "Not really sure what it is, but… probably something cute. You know how he is."
Lena forced a smile. "Right."
But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The next day, the news was everywhere.
James Stone is officially off the market.
The richest bachelor in the state is engaged to his longtime girlfriend.
Lena's face was plastered all over social media, looking flawless in the photos James posted. The makeup, the outfit, the massive ring on her finger. Everything was perfect.
But none of the pictures showed how tight James' grip was around her waist when the photos were taken, or how her smile faltered between shots.
Ethan saw the news while waiting in line for coffee. He stared at the picture, his heart sinking.
She looked happy. But it didn't feel real.
"You good, man?" someone behind him asked.
Ethan just nodded, then walked out.
That evening, Ethan found himself standing outside James' corporate building. He hadn't planned to be there. He just ended up there, pacing as the sun set behind the city skyline.
Finally, James appeared—sharp suit, Bluetooth in his ear, phone in hand. He moved like he owned the world.
Ethan stepped forward.
James didn't recognize him right away. Then, his lips curled into a smirk. "Well, well, if it isn't the scholarship kid."
"We need to talk," Ethan said, his voice low.
James glanced at his watch. "Let me guess. About Lena?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "If you hurt her—"
James scoffed. "Oh, please. You think this is some romance movie? You're not gonna show up here, punch the rich guy, and win the girl."
"I'm serious," Ethan growled. "She doesn't deserve to be treated like that. She's not some possession for you to control."
James laughed. "Listen, college boy. Lena chose me. She said yes. You think some emotional college crush is gonna change that?"
"I'm not trying to change anything. I'm warning you."
James took a step closer, his breath almost touching Ethan's face. "Here's my warning: You show up here again, I'll have you arrested for trespassing. I might even call your school. Scholarships disappear fast when donors start complaining."
Ethan didn't flinch. "If she gets hurt, I don't care who you are. I'll come for you."
James raised an eyebrow, amused. "A threat? From a nobody?"
"No. A promise."
James smiled, cold and mocking. "Tell Lena I said hi. Or don't. She'll be too busy planning my wedding."
Ethan turned and walked away, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white.
That night, Lena sat alone in her room, staring at her phone. Riley had gone out, and the apartment felt eerily quiet.
She hovered her thumb over James' name, but she didn't type anything.
Instead, she opened Riley's contact.
Her heart pounded harder.
She didn't need to open the messages. She knew what she'd see.
James – "Sent."
She couldn't stop thinking about it.
And how Riley had brushed it off…
Was it really just about a surprise? Or was there something more to it?
She set the phone down, a tight feeling in her chest.
Across the city, Ethan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His headphones were in, but the music couldn't drown out his thoughts.
Lena's voice echoed in his mind.
"You should stop interfering in my relationship."
And yet… he couldn't.
Not now.
Not when something didn't feel right.