Chapter 17

Darren's black sedan had been parked outside the university gates for three days. Every morning, he watched Kayla and Ned walk out of the dorm building side by side. Ned would casually take her bag and hand her a hot cup of coffee. His movements were fluid and familiar, like he had done them a hundred times before. Today, Darren couldn't take it any longer. He stepped in front of them with a massive bouquet of blue roses in his hand. "Kayla, can we talk?" he asked. Kayla stopped in her tracks, and her expression went cold in an instant. Ned stepped forward slightly, shielding her without hesitation. "Mr. Tate, please don't bother my partner," he said calmly. Darren's eyes were fixed on Ned's hand resting on Kayla's shoulder. His gaze burned with restrained anger. "This is between me and her," he gritted out. "There's nothing left to talk about." Kayla's voice was soft but sharp enough to cut. "Move." Darren stubbornly lifted the bouquet. "At least take these. You used to love—"