Derek shook his head while Bryson and Aliza exchanged a look, their lips pressed tightly together in silent communication.

Bryson sat down at the kitchen table, and Aliza ladled out some soup for them.

Yasmine took a spoonful and then spoke up, “Aliza, I’ve been off my food lately. Next time, could you add a dash of vinegar to the soup?”

Aliza sighed, then asked, “Maybe you should see a doctor?”

Yasmine just shook her head. “It’s nothing. Sometimes you just crave a change of flavor.”

That was when Derek chimed in with a tease, “So, does that mean you’re thinking of replacing Boyd, too?”d2

A sharp kick under the table from his father came with a stern glare. Aliza also threw Derek a disapproving glance.

Biting back a grimace, Derek shoveled a forkful of food into his mouth.

Yasmine didn’t seem to react to the jab. After she finished her soup and picked at her food, she put down her fork.

Aliza looked worried. “You’ve hardly touched anything.”

“I’ll eat when I’m hungry,” Yasmine said, standing up.

“I’ll whip up some light snacks for you later, just in case.”

“Sure.”

The mood was subdued. Nobody said much more as Yasmine retreated to her room. A sudden breakup can mess with your appetite, that was for sure.

Back in her room, Yasmine flipped open her laptop to search for a movie with good reviews, then she grabbed her phone and curled up in her chair to play some mobile games.

She split her attention between the movie and the game. Texts and calls kept coming in, but she just cut the calls short and ignored the messages, continuing her gaming.

There weren’t many numbers on her phone, really. Aside from gaming and catching up on news, the phone might as well have existed just for Boyd. Other than him, who else would reach out to her?

She had no idea what he wanted with his relentless calls and texts, but just seeing his number irritated her. Whatever he might say would likely just annoy her further, so she kept to her movies and games, not about to let anything ruin her peace.

Downstairs, Boyd leaned against his car, scrolling through his phone, his face shadowed as he saw his messages sinking into the digital abyss. He looked up at her darkened window, where faint, colorful light flickered.

He could almost picture her at her desk by the window, half-watching TV, half-absorbed in her phone, dismissing his calls and texts without a second thought.

Knowing she wouldn’t give him the time of day was maddening, but doing nothing wasn’t an option either. It would only leave him anxious and afraid.

After a while, the light in her room went on, and he saw her silhouette. He stood and dialed her number again. But the shadow moved away, and the call went unanswered.

After her bath, Yasmine just went to bed and turned off the light.

Boyd lingered outside for nearly four hours more.

Derek, not one for tidiness, surprised himself by gathering the trash from his room and taking it out. At ten o’clock, Boyd was still there. Shaking his head, Derek approached him. “Man, you’ve made your point. Go home.”

him.

dinner, but she snacked later. She’s fine, probably asleep by now,” Derek

looked Boyd over and saw his clenched

settling with whatever comes her way. What did you do to make her want to

into tender territory, Derek was genuinely

repeated, lost

give her everything she wanted. Why would she settle for

response, Derek knew he wouldn’t get anything more out of him. “Anyway, she’s one of a kind. Happy as a saint one minute, fierce as a demon the next, and stubborn as a mule. You know her, so you might as well go home. She won’t budge if she’s made up her mind, and you lingering here won’t help. If anything, it’ll make her more irritable, and then the whole family’s walking

that’s the case, then I’m sorry,” Boyd finally said. He had to see her. He wouldn’t

stubborn as each other. Fine, if you’re set on waiting,

unaccomplished, Derek felt like he’d taken

her alarm. She got up and turned it off, then she drew back the curtains to see that familiar car still there. She unplugged her phone charger and

Bryson had arranged a ride for them, already waiting

stepped out, Boyd got

ride without so

a look, shrugged his shoulders, and then joined Yasmine in

headed straight for the university, with Boyd’s car following at a

playing games on her

yesterday afternoon, didn’t leave all night, and now he’s trailing us. Look, I get you two are having issues, but this has

look up from her game but asked, “Do you think he

Boyd’s face that morning, Derek shook his head. “Doubtful. He seems really into you. If he could sleep after you sprung a

“He probably didn’t sleep. He’s my choice,

know him so well, how about you show him some

spoke again, Derek nearly

there’s a reward for reporting someone driving

looked at her incredulously.

over the phone, and she pressed further. “And what’s the penalty for the driver? A slap

on to describe Boyd’s car and license plate

This woman was a

it? If he

is practically the

blinked. “Is

didn’t reply, just slouched in her

was pulled over at the

it was just

if they were really going to split. With graduation looming, it wasn’t unheard of for people to

lunch with Derek, and

clearly uncomfortable. “Uh, where’s Serana? You guys are

instantly. A sarcastic smile tugged at

a landmine

barely touched her food and pushed her plate away, picking up a yogurt to drink instead. Boyd watched her uneaten meal and finally burst out, “That’s all you’re

from across the table, sipping through a straw. “Did I not make myself

she wasn’t keen

“I disagree.”

it aside, Yasmine took a breath and said flatly,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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