Callum’s POV
I never expected to see her walking my way.
Truth is, I ca out here just to cool off. The party was loud, the lights too bright, the laughter too fake. None of it interested .
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, trying to clear my thoughts. I didn’t intend to find her out here—definitely didn’t expect her to spot and start walking toward .
With my gaze fixed on her, I noticed her steps were slow, unsure. Like her feet were moving before her mind caught up.
She looked... different. Not just because of the dress or the way the firelight danced in her eyes. No, it was sothing deeper. Sothing heavier.
Her shoulders were stiff. Her brows pinched like she was carrying sothing too big for her small fra.
I straightened up slightly but didn’t move. Didn’t speak.
When she finally reached , she didn’t say anything right away. Neither did I.
The silence between us wasn’t awkward. It was full. Full of everything we hadn’t said. Full of what happened tonight... and what didn’t.
"You okay?" I asked quietly, even though I knew the answer already.
She gave a small nod. Too quick. Too forced. But I didn’t press.
I just watched her. And gods, it was hard not to touch her. Not to reach out and brush the hair from her face. Not to ask her why the hell she said yes to him.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I said the only thing I could manage without exploding.
"You look like you’ve had a long night."
She nodded and then looked up... her eyes holding mine.
"I’m sorry..." she apologized.
I swallowed hard... it was surprising how just a simple apology from her was already lting my anger... this girl had wrapped around her fingers and she fucking had no idea about it.
I stepped closer, slowly, not touching her. Just closing the space.
But then I slled it. Faint. But distinct. And instantly I knew it was Nathan’s.
My chest tightened. It wasn’t just his scent on her—it was fresh. Like it clung to her skin... like he’d been close. Real close. The kind of close I didn’t want to think about.
My eyes dropped to her lips—slightly swollen. My stomach flipped.
She was coming from the mansion. And now I knew why.
I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to stop the flash of heat that burned through .
I shouldn’t be surprised. I shouldn’t even be mad.
But I was.
Because for a second, I let myself believe she might’ve co looking for . That maybe, despite everything, she wanted .
But I was wrong.
I looked at her, long and hard. And when I spoke, my voice was lower... rougher.
"You were with him."
Her eyes widened just slightly—enough to confirm it.
"I can sll him on you," I added, not to sha her... just to say the truth.
She didn’t deny it. Didn’t say a word.
And that silence? It said everything.
My chest rose and fell, tight with all the things I couldn’t say. All the things I wanted to say.
I could’ve asked what happened. I could’ve asked if he kissed her. Touched her. If she let him hold her the way I’d dread of holding her.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I said the one thing that kept pounding in my skull.
"Tell the truth, Hailee... Am I wasting my ti?"
She just stood there, her eyes wide, lips parted like she was holding in too much—and I could see it. The guilt. The fear. The ss inside her.
Then she finally spoke.
"I’m confused... about everything."
Her voice cracked. Just a little. She took a breath, wrapped her arms around herself like she was trying to hold it together.
"I want to be honest with you, Callum. That’s the least I can do. So please just... hear out."
I didn’t move. Just nodded once.
"I want to know you better," she said quietly, "because I like you. I do."
My chest lifted—hope threatening to rise—but her next words crushed it.
"And Nathan... I want to know him better too."
My heart dropped like a stone in my chest.
"I’m not choosing either of you right now," she added quickly. "I’m going to tell Nathan the sa thing. This—whatever this is—I need ti to figure it out. I need space."
She looked up at then, her lips trembling.
"So let’s just... be friends. For now."
Friends. That word punched the air from my lungs.
"I’m sorry," she whispered.
But I couldn’t stay silent this ti.
"Friends?" I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping before I could stop it. "Hailee, do you even understand what you’re doing to ?"
She blinked, startled.
"I love you."
The words ca out raw. Fierce. Unpolished.
"I fucking love you," I repeated. "I’ve never felt this for anyone. No one."
Her lips parted, but nothing ca out.
"I think about you all the damn ti," I said, my voice rough. "I see you and it’s like the whole world slows down just to remind that I don’t stand a chance."
She took a tiny step back, but I followed.
"How can you say you want to know and Nathan equally? Him?" My voice broke. "You want to know the guy who bullied you? I heard what he did to you, Hailee. I know."
"I know," she said quietly, eyes glassy now. "I know what he did."
"Then why?"
"Because..." She swallowed hard, looking down at her hands. "Because I’m not choosing him, Callum. I’m not choosing you either. I’m choosing . I need to know what I want—not just fall into sothing because it feels good or right. I’ve done that too many tis."
I stepped back this ti, my heart pounding.
She wasn’t wrong. But damn, it hurt.
She looked up at again, a tear slipping down her cheek.
"Please... just give ti."
I nodded slowly—because what else could I do?
"I wish you good luck in this quest of yours," I said before I turned and walked away.
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