The message came at dawn.
> From: Mr. Aulianna
"We need to talk. Now."
Fini hadn't slept. Her lips were still swollen from Calvin's kiss. Her heart was still racing—not from desire, but fear.
She walked into her father's office later that afternoon, Calvin beside her like a shadow.
Her father didn't even look at her. Only tossed the phone on the table.
The photo glared back at her. Her dress wrinkled, Calvin's hands tight on her waist.
"You married him for protection," her father snapped. "Not scandal."
Fini wanted to speak—but Calvin beat her to it.
"With respect, sir, she doesn't need your protection anymore. She has mine now."
Her father looked up. Surprised. Then something else—something softer.
"Then take care of her properly."
---
Later that night, Fini sat on the balcony, staring into the rain.
Ezra hadn't texted.
Hadn't called.
He was gone.
No explanation.
No goodbye.
And suddenly, she realized… maybe he had never been hers to begin with.
---
The door opened behind her. Calvin stepped out, holding a small blanket.
"You'll catch a cold," he murmured, wrapping it over her shoulders.
She looked up at him. For once, there was no bitterness in her voice.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "For using Ezra. For the kiss. For… everything."
He sat beside her. "We're both broken, Fini. But maybe we don't have to stay that way."
She leaned into him. And for the first time—it felt real.
---
Downstairs…
Liora poured herself another drink.
Her hands shook.
Her phone buzzed—but it wasn't Calvin.
It was silence.
He hadn't messaged her since that night.
He hadn't looked at her.
Not once.
And now he was upstairs.
With her.
Liora's jealousy turned sharp like glass. And deep down, something cruel began to stir.
---
End of Chapter 7.