CHAPTER 119

CHAPTER 119
LIAM's POV

After I stopped by my locker, I headed toward the parking lot. Walking down the hallway, I spotted Chase. He was alone, eyes glued to his phone, too distracted to notice me at first. I closed the distance until he finally looked up, meeting my gaze.

"Do you have a second to talk?" I asked.

"Yeah. Sure." His voice carried a trace of hesitation. "About what?"

"What's your deal?" I pressed, my tone sharper than I intended.

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

I crossed my arms, not breaking eye contact. "I know you and Austin have a thing. I saw you two, kissing."

The words hit him like a slap. His eyes widened slightly, lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came out at first. He was clearly surprised—maybe even caught off guard—but behind that shock, I could see he was scrambling for the right words.

"You… saw that?" he finally spoke, his voice quiet but steady.

"Yeah," I said flatly. "So don’t bother denying it."

He exhaled, a shaky breath leaving his chest. Instead of answering right away, he glanced down the hallway, making sure no one else was around. Then his eyes returned to mine, filled with both defiance and unease.

"Okay… yes," he admitted, his voice firmer this time. "Austin and I are together."

I breathed out slowly when he finally confessed. I mean, I already expected this. It wasn’t some shocking revelation anymore. But hearing it from his own mouth… it weighed heavier than I thought it would.

I didn’t want to dig deeper. I didn’t want to hear excuses or explanations. So instead, I said the only thing that clawed at the back of my mind.

"Please leave him alone."

Chase blinked, confused. "What are you—"

"If you really love him," I cut him off, my voice firmer, "leave him alone. Stop dragging him into a messy situation."

His brows furrowed, his lips parting as if he wanted to argue, but I didn’t let him. I stepped closer, lowering my voice, making sure he could feel the weight of what I was saying.

"You don’t know what kind of danger you’re putting him in. If his dad finds out… he’s doomed. No. Both of you."

Chase swallowed hard, his expression darkening. For a moment, he didn’t look like he had a comeback. He just stood there, silent, staring at me with those conflicted eyes.

I shook my head, exhaling sharply. "You think love is enough? Sometimes, it’s not. Sometimes… it destroys."

And with that, I walked past him, leaving him frozen in the hallway.

\-

AUSTIN's POV

The water poured down hard against my skin, but no matter how hot I turned it, I couldn’t wash off the unease that clung to me. That photo, it won’t just ruin me, it’ll drag Chase down with me.

I pressed my hands against the cold tiles, my breath unsteady. My chest ached, not from the heat of the shower, but from the fear twisting inside me. Dad—he wouldn’t let this slide. He never does. I’ve seen what he’s capable of, and I can’t afford to underestimate his reach. One mistake, one slip, and everything collapses.

“Damn it!” The word tore from my throat, echoing in the steam-filled bathroom.

I twisted the knob harder, the shower roaring to full blast, as if the noise could drown out the thoughts screaming in my head. But no matter how strong the water beat against me, I knew nothing could wash away the danger that photo carried.

After I took a shower, I get dressed. I stood in front of the mirror, fingers fumbling with my necktie. No matter how many times I adjusted it, the knot still looked uneven, almost like it mirrored the mess inside me. The vibration of my phone snapped me out of it.

I glanced at the screen—Mom. "Are you on the road?"

I didn't reply and I locked the screen. I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. “Focus, Austin,” I muttered under my breath.

I could deal with Yanna later. For now, I had to keep myself together.

Sliding into my coat, I straightened my shoulders, forcing myself into the role I was supposed to play—the son, the student, the perfect image. I stepped out of my room, the weight of unease still pressing against my chest, and started down the stairs.

I walked straight to my car, my steps quick, restless, like I could outrun the thoughts chasing me. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I gripped the wheel, fingers tight, knuckles pale. For a moment, I just sat there, staring ahead.

With a low breath, I turned the key. The engine roared to life, steady and controlled—so unlike me right now. I pressed down on the gas and pulled out, driving off, the silence inside the car filled only with the hum of the road and the steady thump of my own heartbeat.

The drive to LiLi felt longer than usual, even though I barely remembered the turns I made. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than they should have, but letting go, even for a second, felt like I’d lose control.

When I finally pulled into the parking lot, I sat there for a beat, staring at my own reflection in the rearview mirror. My face gave nothing away—at least, that’s what I told myself. With a breath, I slipped out of the car and headed inside.

The hostess greeted me with a polite smile, asking for the reservation name. “Carter's,” I answered quickly, and that was enough. She nodded and led me down the hall, each step heavier than the last.

The moment the private room door opened, I froze. Four people sat inside. My parents. And across from them, another couple. Business, of course—it was always business.

Then I saw him. Dad. His grin stretched wide, confident, practiced, almost rehearsed. “Austin!” he boomed, his voice filling the room. The couple on the left turned their eyes toward me, smiling widely as if they were waiting to see me for a long time.

I forced my lips upward into a smile. I had to. For him. For them. For the image. Even if deep down, all I wanted was to be anywhere else.

\-