Chapter 5

"Maybe it's because we're going to different colleges." Bella quickly snatched the acceptance letter out of Sebastian's and Ronald's hands and brushed it off without blinking. "I'm tired. I'm heading back." Sebastian and Ronald frowned; something felt off. They were about to press her for more details, but she moved too quickly. She stepped inside and slammed the door shut, leaving them outside with their unanswered questions. The two exchanged a look, irritation rising in their chests. Lately, Bella seemed different—like something was slipping out of their grasp, though they couldn't pinpoint what. "Why don't you go smooth things over?" Sebastian assumed Bella was mad and immediately tried to dump the job on Ronald. Ronald ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I'm sick of pretending. If you're up for it, you go." "I'm going to find Tess. She should have her acceptance letter by now, and I bet she's eager to share the news with us." "I'm going to see Tess too." And just like that, neither of them mentioned comforting Bella again. They left without hesitation, unaware that Bella was watching the whole scene unfold through the video doorbell from her living room. Seeing their backs as they walked away, Bella gave a bitter little smile. She thought that soon enough, the three of them could be together forever. That night, however, Sebastian and Ronald still showed up at the Shaw residence, smiling as if nothing had happened. Their cheerful facade was a complete reversal of their earlier argument about who should coax her. "Bella, you haven't seemed like yourself lately. Didn't you say you wanted to check out a bar after the exams? We thought it'd be unsafe before, but we're free tonight. Let us take you." Bella remembered saying that once. Back then, they had shot her down hard. Now that they were finally offering, she had no interest. "No thanks. I don't feel like it anymore." She turned them down, assuming they'd drop it after a couple more lines of persuasion. She didn't expect them to misinterpret her refusal as teasing and immediately drag her to a nearby bar. At the bar counter, they ordered her a cocktail with barely any alcohol. Flashing lights hit her face, and with so many people inside, the air-conditioning was freezing. A chill ran through her, and she shivered uncontrollably. Sebastian immediately pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her. Not to be outdone, Ronald picked up an apple from the fruit plate and carefully peeled it. When he finished, he presented it proudly. "Bella, give it a try." They were doing everything they could to show how attentive they were, while also making their jealousy obvious. All Bella did was glance briefly toward the dance floor at a guy dancing, and Sebastian and Ronald instantly stepped in front of her as if she were in danger. "Bella, don't look. What's so great about those guys?" Someone walking by saw the scene and immediately shot her a knowing, teasing look. But the next second, both Sebastian and Ronald froze, their bodies stiff. Bella turned, following their gaze. Through the crowded room and loud music, she spotted Tessa nearby, in a work uniform and carrying a tray of drinks. A drunk thug had cornered her, leering and saying something vile. Tessa looked utterly terrified, her eyes red with unshed tears. Too scared to fight back, she froze as the man started to lay his hands on her. Seeing the person they cared about being harassed, Sebastian's and Ronald's breaths caught sharply. Thought ceased, and pure instinct immediately took over. Forgetting Bella entirely, they charged, each man landing a solid punch that sent the drunk thug crashing to the floor. They lost all control then, kicking and punching the man mercilessly, their eyes bloodshot with rage. The place erupted into chaos. The drunk guy was soon coughing up blood and begging for mercy as Tessa screamed in fear. "Sebastian! Ronald! Stop! Please stop. You're going to kill him!"