Chapter 140 CHAPTER 141

Chapter 140 CHAPTER 141
CHAPTER 141
YAEL
Mina and I clicked almost instantly. Within the first hour of her being here, it already felt like we had known each other forever. She had this bright, easy energy that made the whole room feel lighter. We talked nonstop while Knox ordered food, and by the time the Korean takeout arrived, we were laughing like old friends.

The next morning, Mina bounced into the living room while I was drinking coffee.

“Yael!” she said, grinning. “Show me the campus. I want the full tour. Knox told me so much about this place, but I want to see it through your eyes.”

I smiled at her excitement. “Right now?”

“Yes, right now!” she said, grabbing my arm. “Knox is coming too. He said he doesn’t want to miss it.”

Knox walked in from the bedroom, already dressed. “I’m tagging along. Someone has to make sure Mina doesn’t get lost on her first day here.”

Mina rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m not a baby, Knox. But yes, you can come. Let’s go!”

The three of us left the dorm together. The campus was alive with students rushing between classes. Mina looked around with bright, curious eyes, clearly fascinated by the college atmosphere.

“This is the main quad?” she asked, pointing. “It’s huge. Everyone looks so focused but also like they’re having fun at the same time.”

I nodded. “Yeah, it gets really busy during the week. But on weekends it’s calmer. That building over there is the library. I spend way too much time there during exams.”

Mina linked her arm with mine. “I love it. College life looks so different from what I see in Seoul. The vibe here is more… relaxed but still intense. I like it.”

Knox walked on my other side, his hand occasionally brushing mine. “She’s been here less than twenty-four hours and she’s already planning her next visit.”

Mina laughed. “Can you blame me? This place is cool. Plus I get to see my brother actually being happy for once.”

We kept walking and talking. Mina asked questions about every building, every statue, and every group of students we passed. She was fascinated by the college experience itself — the freedom, the energy, the way people dressed and talked.

We turned a corner and saw Aaron walking toward us from the opposite direction. When he spotted Mina, his face lit up.

“Mina!” he called out.

Mina let go of my arm and ran the last few steps. “Aaron! Heyyy, what’s up?”

It makes sense considering they once friends I thought, regaining myself from the shock.

Aaron pulled her into a warm hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. “It’s been so long. Look at you! You’ve grown so much.”

Mina hugged him back tightly. “It really has been forever. I missed you. How have you been?”

When they pulled apart, Mina looked between Aaron and Knox.

“Have you guys made up?” she asked, glancing from one to the other. “Last I heard, you two hated each other.”

Aaron scratched the back of his hair awkwardly. “Yeah… we’re working on it. It’s… complicated. But we’re getting there.”

Mina smirked. “Good. Because I always knew that girl was a snake.”

Aaron blinked. “You knew?”

Mina nodded like it was obvious. “Of course I knew. You were the only blind person. She was always weird around Knox. I tried to tell you back then, but you were too in love to listen.”

Aaron let out a surprised laugh. “Wow. Everyone knew except me, huh?”

Knox chuckled. “Pretty much.”

Mina looked at both of them with a satisfied smile. “Well, I’m glad you two are finally sorting it out. Life is too short for that kind of drama.”

Aaron nodded, still looking a little embarrassed. “Yeah. We’re trying.”

They talked for a few more minutes, catching up lightly. Mina told Aaron about her life in Seoul and how excited she was to be visiting. Aaron asked her about school and if she needed anything while she was here.

Eventually, Mina checked her phone. “I should go see Mom soon. She’s been waiting for me to visit the safe house.”

Knox nodded. “I’ll take you. Let me just drop Yael back at the dorm first.”

Mina hugged Aaron again. “I’ll see you later, okay? Don’t be a stranger.”

Aaron smiled. “Never. Take care of yourself, Bug.”

Mina turned to me and gave me a quick hug too. “I’ll see you soon, Yael. We still have so much to talk about. I want to hear all the embarrassing stories about my brother.”

I laughed. “Deal. Have fun with your mom.”

Knox took my hand and we said goodbye to Aaron. As we walked back toward my dorm, Knox kept his fingers laced with mine.

“You and Mina seem to get along really well,” he said.

I nodded. “She’s amazing. I like her a lot. She’s so full of energy.”

Knox smiled. “She’s always been like that. She’s the sunshine in our family.”

When we reached my dorm, Knox pulled me into a gentle hug.

“I won’t be gone long,” he said. “I’ll drop her off with Mom and come straight back.”

I hugged him back tightly. “Take your time. She came all this way to see you and your mom. I’ll be fine here.”

Knox kissed me softly. “I love you.”

I smiled against his lips. “I love you too.”

He waited until I was inside before he left with Mina. I closed the door and leaned against it for a second, feeling warm and happy. Having Mina here felt like a fresh breeze in the middle of everything. She brought lightness with her, and I could already tell she was going to be good for all of us.

I walked over to my bed and sat down, thinking about how much had changed in just a few days. The group was closer, Aaron and Knox were slowly fixing their friendship, and now Knox’s sister was here. Even with Grey still out there, life felt a little brighter.

I picked up my phone and sent a quick text to the group chat.

Yael: Mina is the sweetest. I already love her.

Maya replied almost immediately.

Maya: I knew I would like her! Tell her I said hi and that we need to hang out soon.

I smiled and lay back on the bed, feeling
grateful. For the first time in a long while, everything felt like it was moving in the right direction.