It had become a quiet rhythm of Alena's days: painting, learning, laughing a little more freely with her friends, and then most of the time walking out to find Kieran waiting by the gates. Sometimes he picked her up because he was passing through that part of the city. Other times, it seemed he had rearranged his schedule just to see her.
Jack and Jessi had grown used to it, too. At first, the weight of Kieran's presence made them speak cautiously, with formal smiles on their faces, but over time the hesitation faded. Jack, especially, had begun to notice the softer side of the man everyone in Montressa seemed to either fear or respect. Still, he kept a quiet suspicion at the back of his mind.
Kieran was too protective of Alena. Sometimes too possessive.
Whenever Jack casually put a hand on her shoulder, He would receive Kieran's deadly stare. Whenever Alena laughed a little too much at Jack's silly antics, Kieran's eyes narrowed. He never said anything outright, but Jack noticed and wondered silently what exactly was between the two of them.
That evening, the sun was beginning to set, washing the campus in a warm orange glow. The art school's corridors buzzed as students poured out, carrying sketchbooks and portfolios under their arms. Alena walked alongside Jack and Jessi, her art bag hung across her shoulder, her smile soft and tired after a long day.
Jack stretched with an exaggerated groan.
"You know what," he said, dragging out his words, "whenever the professor gives such a tricky assignment, I feel like quitting the school immediately."
Alena's lips curved, trying not to laugh. Jessi rolled her eyes.
"Even with simple assignments, you cry," she teased.
Jack pressed a hand to his chest, pretending to be wounded. "You are right. Because when I'm not in the mood, even drawing a butterfly feels like lifting a mountain."
Alena chuckled, shaking her head. "Dramatic."
Jack grinned and slung his arms around both girls, pulling them in with exaggerated friendliness. Alena wriggled slightly but allowed it, her smile refusing to fade. Jessi leaned against him, laughing at his theatrics, until her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She pulled it out, answering brightly. "Yes, Dad?"
On the other side, a warm male voice replied, "Darling, I'm in front of your art school."
Jessi's eyes lit up. "Really? My class just ended."
"Well then, come out. We'll go together," her father said.
"Yes, Dad." She hung up and turned to her friends. "Guys, my dad's waiting outside."
Jack shrugged. "Ohh…"
Alena gave a polite smile, but before she could excuse herself, Jessi's hand caught hers.
"Come, Alena. I'll introduce you to Dad."
Alena stiffened. "No… let it be. I—"
Jessi shook her head. "Oh, come on, Alena. My dad is cool. He's not what you're thinking." She turned to Jack for support. "Right, Jack?"
Jack nodded with a grin. "Yes, Alena. He's one of those cool dads who are fun to hang out with. Not like the strict ones."
Alena tried to protest again, her voice soft, uncertain. "No, really… maybe some other time—"
But Jessi had already linked her arm through hers, dragging her toward the entrance, Jack following behind.
The moment Alena stepped outside, her breath caught in her throat.
By the curb, a tall man stood in front of a sleek black car, his posture sharp, his presence commanding without effort. His hair was streaked faintly with gray, his tailored suit crisp even in the fading light.
And his eyes, those gray eyes, fell on Alena.
Her heart dropped. Her steps faltered.
The world seemed to tilt, the air thickening around her. She knew those eyes. Somewhere deep in her memory, blurred by pain and darkness, they burned like coals. She had seen them before, hovering above her when her world collapsed, when screams fell silent, leaving her innocence shattered.
Jessi's father.
No.
She felt a tightness in her chest, panic clawing at her lungs.
The man's gaze sharpened, as if recognition flickered across his face, too. His lips formed that familiar smirk, but he said nothing.
Alena's knees weakened. The chatter of students around her dimmed. Her surroundings blurred. She could hear only the pounding of her heartbeat, the rush of blood in her ears.
"Alena?" Jack's voice reached her faintly. "Hey, what's wrong?"
She couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. The memory of those days, of shadows closing in, of her body failing her, resurfaced violently.
Her legs gave way.
"Alena!" Jack shouted, catching her just as she crumpled to the ground.
"Alena, what happened?" Jessi's voice cracked with fear as she knelt beside her friend.
"Wake up, Alena! Come on—" Jack patted her cheek, his face pale with panic.
But Alena's eyes had already fluttered shut, her body limp in his arms.
The guard stationed at the gate rushed forward immediately, alarm flashing across his face. "Miss Alena!" He knelt, checking her pulse, then slapped her cheek gently. "Miss, wake up!"
No response.
He didn't hesitate. Scooping her into his arms, he hurried toward the car parked near the entrance. "I'll take her to the hospital," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the urgency.
Jack stood frozen, his hands trembling. Jessi was in shock, staring helplessly as the guard slid Alena into the backseat and jumped in, the car speeding away with a roar.
"Alena…" Jessi whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.
Jack clenched his fists, mind racing with questions. What happened? Why did she collapse so suddenly?
Behind them, Jessi's father's face remained unreadable, though his gaze lingered on the direction the car had gone. His jaw tightened, just for a second.
"Let's go home," he said flatly.
Jessi snapped her head toward him, eyes wide. "What? No! Dad, Alena... she needs us—"
"She'll be taken care of," he cut her off, his tone firm, unyielding.
"But Dad—"
"She will be fine darling, come, let's go home," he said, already guiding her firmly toward his car. His grip on her arm was gentle but brooked no resistance.
Jack frowned deeply, confusion and unease twisting inside him. Why was Jessi's father so… composed? Why wasn't he worried about Alena at all?
"Uncle, with respect, maybe we should—" Jack started.
"Home, Jack," the man said sharply, leaving no room for discussion.
Jessi bit her lip, torn between fear for her friend and obedience to her father. At last, she allowed herself to be pulled along, though her eyes never left the street where Alena had vanished.
Jack followed reluctantly, his heart unsettled.
What on earth just happened?
Only Alena knew. Only she carried the weight of the reason behind it, the shadow that had returned to haunt her at the sight of Jessi's father.
And as the evening swallowed Montressa, a storm was quietly building.