I feel the break of it inside me.
EVAN
He didn’t mean to be harsh.
But seeing Cole at Ruby’s desk, acting like she’s his… it made something ugly and panicked twist inside him.
Ruby steps into the hallway with him.
She looks shaken.
He hates that.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine.”
She rubs her face. “I don’t know what I seem.”
He hesitates. Then: “You don’t have to let him pull you around.”
Her shoulders tense.
“Evan…”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.” His voice breaks. “I’m trying to protect you.”
She closes her eyes, pained. “I don’t need protecting.”
“But he’s..."
“Stop.” Her voice is soft but firm. “I care about you. I do. But this… this isn’t your place.”
His chest tightens.
“You’re choosing him.”
“I’m choosing myself,” she whispers. “And that just… happens to include him.”
It feels like a punch.
She steps away.
He watches the distance grow between them.
And something cracks inside him.
JAXON
She chose him.
Not permanently. Not romantically.
But she chose to go talk to him.
Instead of me.
