CHAPTER 90

CHAPTER 90
Tyler’s POV

Claire was the easier of the two she was soft, hopeful, and desperate for connection.
Ethan would take more finesse. He was sharp when he wanted to be, but his emotions ran deep, unpredictable. That made him dangerous, but also exploitable.
I didn’t need them to love me. I just needed them to believe me.
The morning started the same as always. The clinic was buzzing, staff darting from patient to patient. I used the chaos to my advantage, weaving through it with my usual calm efficiency. Everyone trusted the calm guy in the storm.
Claire was at her station, sorting patient files, humming softly under her breath. I approached slowly, making sure my footsteps were light enough not to startle her.
“Hey,” I said smoothly, setting a cup of coffee beside her. “You look like you could use this.”
Her eyes brightened. “Tyler, you’re a lifesaver. I didn’t get breakfast.”
I leaned casually against the counter, lowering my voice as though what I was about to say was confidential. “You know, I’ve been noticing something about Dominic lately.”
Her head lifted, instantly intrigued. “Dominic?”
“Yeah,” I said, glancing around as if to check if anyone was listening. “He’s… different when you’re around. Softer. Less guarded.”
Claire blushed, shaking her head. “I think you’re imagining things. Dominic’s always been… well, professional.”
I gave her a knowing smile. “Sure, professional. But you’ve seen him with other people and he’s cold, distant. With you? It’s like he lets a little light in.” I paused just long enough for my words to sink in. “I think he craves stability. Someone who understands him, someone kind. That’s not something he’d ever admit out loud, though.”
Her eyes dropped to the files in her hands, her lips parting slightly. She didn’t deny it.
Later that afternoon, my focus shifted to Ethan.
I caught him alone in the staff lounge, sipping a drink and scrolling through his phone. Dominic wasn’t around, which gave me the perfect opportunity.
“Ethan,” I said, making my tone casual but concerned. “Got a minute?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Sure. What’s up?”
I hesitated, pretending reluctance, then sighed. “It’s… about Dominic.”
Immediately, Ethan’s posture stiffened. “What about him?”
I lowered my voice, keeping my expression carefully neutral. “I’ve been picking up on… vibes. He’s been distracted lately, maybe even distant. I don’t know, man. I just hate seeing you put so much into something if he’s not doing the same.”
Ethan frowned, clearly trying to process my words. “Dominic’s… complicated. He’s under a lot of pressure right now.”
“Of course,” I agreed quickly, holding up a placating hand. “Totally understandable. I just… I don’t want you blindsided, you know? I’ve seen relationships fall apart because one person wasn’t fully present.”
His frown deepened. “Are you saying he’s not committed?”
I let out a slow breath, as though I were reluctant to speak. “I’m saying… I think he’s got his walls up. And when someone has walls that high, sometimes they’re hiding something behind them.”
I didn’t have to say more. The seed was planted.
The next move required precision.
I needed Claire and Ethan in the same space, but for different reasons. Claire needed to see Dominic and Ethan together, to stir her feelings and spark questions. Ethan needed to see Claire’s interest to make him doubt Dominic’s faithfulness.
So, I crafted a simple scenario.
That evening, as we were closing up, I casually asked Claire for a favor. “Hey, could you drop something off for me on your way home? I promised Dominic I’d return this book, but I’m swamped and won’t get out of here for another hour.”
“Of course,” she said immediately. “Where does he live?”
I scribbled down the address, hiding my satisfaction. “Thanks. Just hand it to whoever answers the door.”
From my spot down the street, I watched Claire approach Dominic and Ethan’s apartment building. She looked nervous, smoothing her hair before ringing the buzzer.
I leaned back against a lamppost, staying just out of sight.
The door opened. Dominic stood there, his expression neutral, though a flicker of surprise crossed his features when he saw her.
“Claire,” he greeted politely. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, um…” She held up the book. “Tyler asked me to drop this off for you.”
Dominic took the book, his brow furrowing slightly. “Tyler, huh.”
From inside the apartment, Ethan’s voice floated out. “Who is it?”
“It’s Claire,” Dominic called back.
Ethan appeared behind him a moment later, his expression warm but wary. “Hey, Claire. Everything okay?”
“Yes!” she said quickly, her cheeks pink. “Just running an errand for Tyler.”
The three of them stood awkwardly for a moment, a triangle of tension.
Ethan’s gaze shifted between Dominic and Claire, something calculating in his eyes. Claire, for her part, couldn’t quite hide the way she looked at Dominic curious, maybe even hopeful.
“Thanks for dropping this off,” he said finally, his tone clipped. “Have a good night.”
He closed the door a little too quickly, leaving Claire blinking on the doorstep.
She turned and walked away, looking flustered. I melted into the shadows, following at a distance.
Inside the apartment, I could imagine the conversation unfolding.
“Why was she here?” Ethan would demand.
“Tyler asked her to drop something off,” Dominic would reply, his voice low and suspicious.
And Ethan, already primed by my earlier words, would start to wonder why Claire looked at Dominic like that.
The perfect spark to light a fire, I was going to make Dominic regret convincing Ethan to send me out.
The next day, I kept things casual, normal. Claire seemed distracted, lost in thought. I didn’t push her. Not yet.
When I crossed paths with him in the hallway, he gave me a sharp nod, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Tyler,” he said evenly.
“Dominic,” I replied, matching his tone. “Everything good?”
“Fine,” he said, though his voice carried an edge. “Just… curious about last night.”
I smiled pleasantly. “Oh, right. Thanks for taking the book. Claire was a lifesaver.”
Dominic didn’t answer immediately. His gaze lingered on me for a moment too long, like he was trying to see through my skin.
Then he gave a tight smile. “Sure. Appreciate it.”
As he walked away, his shoulders tense, I felt a ripple of satisfaction.
He knew. Maybe not what I was doing, maybe not how deep it went, but he sensed my hand in the game.