Nichs let me go, not because of our past, but because udia was expecting him. Hemanded, "Dry your tears. Watch your words when we get back." The journey back to Hawk Manor was silent, with none of us saying a word.


    I sat in the passenger seat, while udia, clearly scared, huddled into Nichs'' arms, appearing almost lifeless.


    She clung to him as usual, their bodies pressed together. Nichs'' hand rested on udia''s head, their interaction intimate and familiar.


    A profound sadness engulfed me as I reflected on my passive role in their rtionship.


    Suddenly, I noticed that the rearview mirror was angled oddly. When I nced up, Nichs caught my eye.


    There seemed to be a strange connection between us, our gazes meeting more frequently than mere chance would allow. Even with his dear udia in his arms, he


    continued to steal nces in my direction. There was a distinct contrast between the atmosphere in the backseat and my solitary space. Yet, Nichs tried to bridge it by stealing nces at me.


    The unsettling vibe left me breathless, its heaviness bearing down on my chest like a weight I couldn''t shake off. I shut my eyes and leaned against the car window to avoid his gaze. Yet, his voice still reached my ears.


    "Your professor informed me that missing more sses could jeopardize your graduation. No one from the Hawks has ever Tailed to graduate from college.


    "I''m sorry, Nick," said udia


    "I''m considering transferring you to another college."


    udia''s head dropped upon hearing his words. I assumed. she felt ashamed over her poor grades, but she suddenly sat up straight. Her voice quivered with emotions as she asked, " Ariana, is it your idea for me to transfer to another college?"


    Her sudden question caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless. I opened my eyes, finding Nichs casually crossing his right leg over his left, seemingly unconcerned about exining himself.


    I made myself seem innocent. "udia, why would you even assume that?"


    Staring at me, udia suddenly eximed, "Ariana, why did you change outfits?"


    Her surprise was palpable in her eyes. The directness of her question made me feel a twinge of shame as if I was the other woman and hadmitted some indiscretion with Nichs upstairs just moments ago.


    I turned to meet her gaze squarely. "I just decided to change. my clothes. Is that an issue?"


    I had boundaries and couldn''t let her keep pushing me around.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    "N-Nothing... I''m just curious why Nick is suggesting I transfer to another college. I thought you guys preferred having me away from home," udia said, tugging at Nichs'' sleeve. She avoided meeting my eyes and instead turned to him with an innocent expression. Nichs eventually said calmly, "It''s not about anyone else. You know the reason."


    udia''s hopeful look faded as he failed to give her a satisfactory exnation. She said, "Nick, I''ve already handled that guy."


    Nichs gave her a stern look. "Tell me the truth."


    "Nick-"


    "Remember our promise? No lying to me."


    Nichs'' words made me reflect. While there was no promise between Nichs and me, there was one between him and udia. The identity of the guy they mentioned remained unclear to me.


    udia seemed burdened by something she found difficult to talk about. She covered her face with both hands, let out a sorrowful sob, andpsed into silence.