Chapter 27: 27

Johan

Halo Quincy.

The only boy I ever fell in love with over a photo.

It had been years—back when Lucian first asked me to help him find someone. I wasn't supposed to get attached. Wasn’t supposed to feel anything for a boy I’d never met.

But I did.

And I didn’t regret it.

There was something about him. Even in that grainy photo—those eyes, that soft defiance in his face. He looked like someone born to survive in a world that kept trying to bury him. I became obsessed before I even realized what was happening.

I’d hired a private investigator behind everyone’s back. Paid him religiously for years, even when he kept coming up empty.

But then—finally—he found something.

A name.

An address.

A life.

Halo went from a distant image in my mind to someone real—seen, known, touchable. My heart nearly gave out when I read the report.

I thought that moment would feel like winning.

Until I realized he was already with Lucian.

Again.

Somehow, fate had thrown them together without me even knowing. Halo had ended up as Kattie’s beneficiary, and she—like always—had insisted Lucian take him in. Along with that other girl.

Just like that, he was theirs.

And I was on the outside. Again.

No matter what I did, it felt like I was always fighting a losing battle.

Lucian was always going to be a hindrance. I knew that from the beginning.

But when I finally met Halo in person—and saw the way Lucian spoke about him—haa, that’s when everything became clear.

Lucian had pride. The cold, poisonous kind. The type that needed to feel superior, even to the things he secretly wanted.

He slut-shamed the boy, spat cruel words like they meant nothing, like Halo was just some mistake that wandered into his house.

But I watched him. Closely.

The tension in his jaw. The way his eyes lingered. The way his voice faltered for just a second too long.

Lucian wanted him. Maybe he didn’t love him. Maybe he didn’t even understand it. But he liked the power of having Halo close. Of knowing Halo would shatter if he just pulled one string.

He acted like he didn’t care.

But only a man who cares too much talks that harshly.

And I knew then—

Lucian may have had him first. But he didn’t know how to keep him.

Not the right way.

But unlike Lucian, I wouldn’t crucify Halo.

I wouldn’t break him down just to feel bigger. I knew too much about him—more than he realized. I knew his suffering, the loneliness stitched into every corner of his life. The things he’d lost. The things no one had protected him from.

And all I could think was: I wish I’d found him sooner.

He was beautiful—inside and out. Not the kind of beauty you could fake or edit. Halo had a softness that hadn’t been entirely crushed, despite the weight of everything he carried. And that softness undid me.

Messaging him on Instagram had been a gamble. Slipping into his DMs after years of watching from a distance was my first move—clumsy, polite, restrained.

But getting out of the polite zone I’d shoved myself into?

That would be harder.

Now, as we stood in front of his former guardian’s house, the late sun casting long shadows across the lawn, I finally worked up the nerve.

“Let me know when you’re ready to come back,” I said, keeping my tone casual. “I’ll come pick you up.”

He looked at me.

And for a second—just a breath—he smiled.

But then it faded.

“Hah…” He shook his head. “Johan, you can stop now.”

I blinked. “What?”

“No need to pretend,” he said, voice low, eyes sharp and tired. “I know what you are. You’re in a relationship. And the whole world knows you love to cheat. And now—what? You’re being overly nice to me?”

The words hit harder than they should’ve.

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Because how could I explain that this was different? That he wasn’t some reckless fling, some game, or something I wanted to ruin for the thrill of it?

That I knew I didn’t deserve him—but I wanted him anyway?

He turned to go, but I grabbed his wrist gently.

“Halo… I’m not pretending.”

“Okay, Johan,” Halo said flatly, arms crossed. “If you’re not pretending—good for you. But can you stop? I’m not going to be your anything.”

The words were ice. Brutal. Clean.

I smiled bitterly, even though my chest twisted with something I refused to name.

“You flatter yourself too much,” I said coolly. “I don’t like you like that.”

Lie.

“And for the record, my boyfriend and I broke up,” I added, trying to sound indifferent. “I’m only being nice because I know you like my brother… and I wanted to get to know you before deciding if I should help you win him or not.”

Another lie.

Every word burned on the way out, but I forced them through anyway—because the truth felt far too dangerous.

“But oh well,” I added with a shrug, turning away. “You’re being this rude, so maybe it doesn’t matter anymore.”

I took a step.

“Wait!” Halo shouted suddenly, voice cracking through the tension like a spark.

I stopped.

But I didn’t turn around.

Not yet.

Because hope was a cruel thing, and I wasn’t sure if I could survive it twice.

“I’m sorry,” Halo said softly behind me. “I thought…”

I turned, just enough for him to see the smirk pulling at my lips—cold, practiced, hiding the sting I didn’t want to admit.

“You thought wrong,” I said, eyes meeting his without flinching.

He looked like he wanted to say more. Maybe even take it back. But silence settled between us instead, thick and heavy.

I held his gaze a moment longer, then gave him a slight nod—distant, final.

“Take care, Halo,” I said quietly, turning away for real this time.

And this time… he didn’t stop me.