Daniel walked through the dimly lit streets, his mind restless. He had arranged to meet one of his girlfriends, someone he had been seeing casually for a while. She greeted him with a playful smile, her eyes glinting with desire, and soon they were in her apartment. The room was filled with the faint scent of perfume, the low hum of music in the background, and an electric tension that usually made Daniel reckless.
They moved closer, hands exploring, lips meeting, and yet—something didn't feel right. Every time he tried to get lost in the moment, Mia's face flashed vividly in his mind. Her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she was genuinely happy, the delicate tilt of her smile—all of it intruded, relentless and impossible to ignore. He froze, stepping back slightly, shaking his head.
"I… I can't," he murmured, his voice thick with frustration. The girl looked at him, confused, but he didn't explain. He couldn't. Not while Mia's image dominated every thought, every desire he had. He left her apartment, his footsteps heavy, mind consumed by the thought of Mia. He sat on a nearby bench, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, staring blankly at the ground. "Why can't I stop thinking about her?" he whispered to himself. "Why her?"
Meanwhile, at Ryan's house, the atmosphere was warm, comforting, and in sharp contrast to Daniel's turmoil. Mia and Ryan sat across from each other at the dinner table, sharing a simple meal Ryan had prepared himself. Mia smiled faintly, a little nervous but happy, as she reached for her water.
"You know," she began, setting her fork down, "you used to be so mean to me… I didn't understand why sometimes." Her eyes searched his, looking for some trace of the boy she had grown to love.
Ryan chuckled softly, a small, almost shy smile tugging at his lips. "I know. I was… stubborn. I didn't know how to handle my feelings for you. I didn't know how to tell you I loved you, even back then."
Mia's eyes widened slightly, heart fluttering. "You… loved me? From the very beginning?"
He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Ever since the first time I saw you, Mia. I tried to hide it, but I couldn't. And the more I tried, the more it showed… even when I was mean. I've always loved you."
Her breath caught, tears threatening to spill, and she squeezed his hand. "I… I love you too, Ryan. I just… I didn't know it at first."
They finished their dinner in a quiet, intimate comfort, the tension of past misunderstandings melting away. Afterward, they went together to take a bath, the warm water washing away fatigue, stress, and lingering worries. When they were done, they dressed in comfortable clothes and climbed into bed together, holding each other close. Ryan wrapped his arms around Mia, and she rested her head against his chest. The steady beat of his heart soothed her, and slowly, sleep claimed them, deep and uninterrupted, their warmth and closeness sealing the promise of a new beginning.
Far away, in the park, the mood was anything but peaceful. Suzanne paced, her fingers twitching with frustration as her father scolded her. "You need to settle down, Suzanne," he said, his tone sharp and authoritative. "You are of age; you cannot remain stubborn forever."
She stopped pacing, meeting his gaze with fire in her own eyes. "I will not marry anyone else, Father. If I don't have Ryan, I don't want anyone. He's the one I love."
Her father's face softened slightly, but his voice was firm. "Suzanne… you must understand. Ryan already has a mate. You cannot force fate."
Her jaw tightened, determination blazing. "I don't care. I will do everything in my power to stop them from being together. I've already rejected my own mate for him. He belongs with me, not with her. And I will not allow anything to come between us."
Her father shook his head, torn between worry and resignation. "Suzanne… be careful. Love can blind you, and obsession can ruin everything."
"I don't care," she said, her eyes glinting dangerously. "I will have him. No matter what."