Chapter 31 up
Clark sat on the edge of the sofa, his head still heavy from the alcohol of the night before. His eyes were red, his face disheveled. Selena sat beside him, her body pressed comfortably against his, offering a warmth Clark craved—but one laced with hidden motives.
“You… you should eat something,” Selena murmured, lightly patting his arm.
Clark shook his head. “I’m not hungry,” he replied, his voice hoarse.
Selena lowered her gaze briefly, then smiled faintly. “I’m here, Clark. You’re not alone anymore. I’ll always be by your side.”
Clark looked at her. A fleeting sense of relief washed over him—at least someone cared. But it was immediately pierced by guilt. Nyla’s shadow was still vivid in his mind: the calm look in her eyes, the face that never faltered or bowed.
Selena noticed the unrest. She smiled softly. “Don’t think about Nyla right now. I’m here. I… I just want you to feel comfortable.”
Clark let out a long sigh and closed his eyes. “I… I just want to forget everything for a moment.”
Selena leaned closer, taking his hand in hers and gripping it firmly. “Okay. I want you to feel comfortable too.” Her voice was gentle, soothing—but behind it lurked a cunning intention.
That night, Selena deliberately created an intimate atmosphere. She spoke softly, locked eyes with him, forced a few light laughs, and patted his back when he leaned against her. Slowly, Clark—fragile, broken by regret, alcohol, and jealousy over Nyla—began letting himself sink into the false comfort she offered.
Hours later, Clark fell into a deep, exhausted sleep on the sofa. Selena remained by his side, watching his defenseless face. Inside, she smiled. Every action she had taken so far was part of her plan.
She pulled her phone from her bag and opened the camera. Every movement Clark made, every soft breath, she captured. Selena held her breath, making sure nothing disturbed the moment. She knew this would be her most powerful weapon—a weapon to hurt Nyla.
Once everything was recorded, Selena glanced at the screen and smiled faintly. “Nyla will regret seeing this,” she murmured. She quickly typed a message, attached the video, and sent it to Nyla’s number.
Across the city, Nyla was working at Vincent’s office. She had just finished several important documents when her phone buzzed. An unknown number appeared on the screen. She tapped to open it, and her eyes widened as she saw the contents.
The video showed Clark… with Selena. The gestures weren’t explicit, but they were intimate enough to pierce Nyla’s chest with pain. Her heart raced, her eyes burned with a mix of anger and sorrow.
“No… this can’t be…” Nyla whispered, her voice breaking. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to calm herself, but every second of the video stabbed at her like a thousand knives.
Vincent, sitting beside her, glanced at Nyla. “What is it?”
Nyla gripped her phone. “Selena… she sent this…” Her voice trembled. “She did it on purpose…”
Vincent drew in a slow breath. “She’s trying to make you angry.”
Nyla swallowed. “It’s more than anger. I… I feel… destroyed.”
Vincent placed a hand on her shoulder. “She can’t win your heart. You know that.”
Nyla stared at Vincent, tears welling up and spilling down her cheeks. “But seeing Clark… it feels like everything is wasted. Like… he gave in to her more easily than he would have to me.”
Vincent exhaled slowly. “That’s not reality. Clark is vulnerable right now. Selena is just taking advantage of the moment. You have to remember—you’re the one who made Clark realize. You’re the one who gave meaning to his heart. This video is just a tool of manipulation.”
Nyla bowed her head, trying to steady her breathing. “But it hurts so much. I hate it. I hate her… and I hate myself for still caring.”
Vincent looked at her for a long moment. “It’s normal. Love doesn’t vanish instantly. But don’t let anger control you. Don’t let Selena win through hate.”
Nyla inhaled deeply. “I won’t fight her in the same way. I won’t stoop to her level. But… seeing her… hurting Clark… hurting my own feelings… it’s unbearable.”
Meanwhile, hours later, Clark woke up. His eyes were bloodshot, his head throbbing from the alcohol. He stared at Selena, sitting beside him, a faint, deliberate smile on her face.
“What were you doing last night?” Clark croaked, his voice hoarse.
Selena smiled sweetly. “Just helping you feel better. You were so tired—you needed comfort.”
Clark furrowed his brow, eyes reddening further. “You… you recorded me?”
Selena nodded slightly, her voice soft. “I just wanted… you to remember me.”
Clark stared at her for a long moment. “This… this is crazy.”
“No,” Selena said. “It’s love. I just want you to feel less alone. I’m here for you.”
Clark lowered his gaze, his heart shattered. He knew Selena was manipulating him, yet it was too easy to be drawn into the comfort she offered. His loneliness, his regret, and his jealousy of Nyla gnawed at his defenses.
“I feel like I’ve already lost Nyla… and you… you’re here,” he muttered, his voice a mix of despair and confusion.
Selena looked at him, eyes shining, suppressing a satisfied smile. “I’ll always be here for you, Clark. You don’t have to think about anyone else.”