Yuna:
I didn't move from the couch.
Not because I couldn't—but because something about the moment felt… sharp. Unfamiliar. Like one wrong word could break everything.
Ethan and Elena stood a few steps away from me, their presence filling the room in completely different ways.
Elena leaned casually against the edge of the table, arms crossed, watching Ethan with that same amused, knowing look. Ethan, on the other hand, looked exactly the opposite—still, controlled, and clearly… annoyed.
"So," Elena began lightly, tilting her head, "you didn't even bother telling me anything?"
"There's nothing to tell," Ethan replied flatly.
Elena scoffed softly.
"Oh, please. You disappear for days, don't answer calls, and then I walk in and find you—" her eyes flicked briefly toward me, "—like that."
Ethan's jaw tightened slightly.
"Watch your words."
"Or what?" she challenged, not even slightly intimidated.
He didn't answer.
But the silence itself felt like a warning.
Elena sighed dramatically, brushing her hair back.
"You've gotten worse," she muttered. "At least before you used to pretend to tolerate me."
"I still don't."
"That's obvious."
For a moment, they just stared at each other—like this wasn't their first argument, and definitely wouldn't be their last.
Then—
Elena's gaze shifted again.
To me.
And this time, her expression changed.
Curiosity.
Interest.
And something a little sharper.
"…So," she said slowly, stepping a little closer, "were you two just kissing before I walked in?"
My breath caught.
Heat rushed to my face instantly.
"I—"
I didn't know what to say.
My mind went blank.
I looked down, then away, then instinctively toward Ethan.
He stepped forward slightly.
"That's enough."
His voice was low.
Controlled.
But final.
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Sensitive topic?"
"Drop it."
But she didn't.
Instead, her gaze sharpened further as she looked at me again.
"…Or maybe I should ask something else," she said, her tone shifting just slightly.
Something colder.
"How much did you get?"
I froze.
"…What?"
"To sleep with him," she said casually.
The words hit like a slap.
For a second—
I couldn't even process it.
My heart dropped.
My chest tightened.
And slowly—
I turned my head.
Looking at Ethan.
Waiting.
Hoping.
That he would say something.
That he would stop this.
And he did.
Instantly.
"Elena."
His voice this time—
Was different.
Lower.
Dangerous.
"Say one more word," he continued, stepping closer to her, "and I'll tell uncle everything you've been hiding."
The room went silent.
Elena's expression flickered.
Just for a second.
But I saw it.
Then—
She smiled again.
But it wasn't the same.
"…Still threatening me?" she said lightly.
Ethan didn't respond.
But the message was clear.
Stop.
Or it gets worse.
I looked between them.
My mind spinning.
But something inside me—
Shifted.
Anger.
It rose slowly.
Because I realized something.
He stopped her.
But he didn't deny it.
My fingers tightened slightly at my sides.
"Ethan."
He looked at me.
"What?"
"Why didn't you say anything?"
His expression didn't change.
"There's nothing to explain."
"That's not an answer," I said, my voice sharper now.
Elena watched us.
Silently.
Interested.
Like she was enjoying this more than she should.
"Is that what you think of me?" I continued, my eyes locked on Ethan. "That I'm just someone you—"
"Stop," he cut in.
"No," I shook my head. "You stop. You don't get to stay silent when someone says something like that about me."
The room grew heavier.
Tension rising.
Elena's lips curved slightly again.
"…This is more than I thought," she murmured.
Then she looked at Ethan.
"So?" she asked directly. "What is she?"
Ethan didn't answer.
"Are you two in a relationship?"
Silence.
A long one.
Then—
"Get out of my house."
His voice was cold.
Final.
But it wasn't an answer.
And for some reason—
That hurt more.
Something inside me snapped.
"I'm his girlfriend."
The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
The room froze.
Elena blinked.
"…What?"
I stood up slowly, ignoring the slight weakness in my body.
My eyes didn't leave Ethan.
Then I looked at her.
"We're in a relationship."
It was a lie.
I knew it.
But I didn't take it back.
Elena looked between us.
Her expression finally shifting from amusement—
To genuine surprise.
"…Really?"
Her gaze moved to Ethan.
"Is that true?"
Ethan didn't say anything.
Just looked at me.
Then—
He shook his head.
No.
My chest tightened.
But I didn't back down.
Elena let out a small breath.
"…Interesting."
Then she said to Ethan,
"Does father know?"
Another pause.
Then—
Ethan shook his head again.
"No."
Elena sighed.
A long one.
Then she ran a hand through her hair.
"…You're really asking for trouble."
Her tone wasn't teasing anymore.
It was… serious.
"Be careful," she added quietly.
Ethan didn't respond.
But something in his eyes shifted slightly.
Then—
Elena turned to me again.
This time—
Different.
Less sharp.
More… measured.
She stepped closer.
Standing right in front of me.
And for a moment—
She just looked at me.
Not judging.
Not mocking.
Just… observing.
Then she smiled faintly.
"…So," she said, her tone calmer now, "you're Yuna."
I nodded slowly.
"Yes."
She extended her hand again.
"Properly this time."
I hesitated only for a second—
Then took it.
"I'm Elena."
"I know."
She smiled slightly.
"Good."
A pause.
Then she added,
"…Now tell me about yourself."
I blinked.
"…What?"
"If you're going to stay in his life," she said, glancing briefly at Ethan, "then I should at least know who you are."
The tension didn't disappear.
But it changed.
Into something else.
Something uncertain.
Something new.
And as I stood there—
Between Ethan's silence and Elena's sharp curiosity—
I realized this wasn't just about us anymore.
This was bigger.
And I had just stepped right into it.