} "Morning, genius."
Marina dropped into the seat across from , her usual oversized tote bag hitting the desk with a thud. She cracked open an energy drink, leaning back like she owned the room.
"Morning," I replied, scanning through Halifax’s notes.
She tilted her head. "You actually review his lectures? Half the ti it feels like he doesn’t even know what he’s saying."
"Maybe that’s why I review them," I muttered.
Before Marina could retort, a soft voice cut through. "Hi, Kai."
Avery.
She was passing by with her books hugged to her chest, a light, practiced smile flickering across her lips. Not too much. Just enough to look polite—friendly.
I looked up out of instinct. "Morning," I returned, just as quick.
And just like that, she was gone down the aisle.
Marina’s eyes narrowed imdiately. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand like a detective about to interrogate a suspect. "Alright. What was that?"
"What was what?" I didn’t bother looking up from my notes.
"That." She mimicked Avery’s little wave, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Hi, Kai."
I sighed. "It was just a hi. People greet each other. That’s... normal."
"Mm-hm." Marina tapped her pen against the desk, gaze sharp. "Except Prescott’s been here what—barely a month? And in that ti she’s already clashed with Celestia twice, and lost both tis. You think it’s a coincidence she suddenly decides to toss you a smile? Nah, Kai. That girl’s not just being polite—she’s plotting."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You’re reading too much into it."
"Nope." She popped the "p" smugly. "Girls don’t do casual with guys who already have girlfriends. Especially girlfriends like yours."
I finally looked up. "aning?"
Marina gave a flat look, like I was being particularly dense on purpose. "aning Valentina. Do you really think she’s the type to share? No, scratch that—do you really think she’s the type to let another girl circle within ten feet of her man without declaring war?"
"Marina—"
She cut off, wagging her pen like a scolding teacher. "Don’t play dumb, Kai. I like you, so let give it to you straight: you might think it’s harmless, but I’ve seen this before. Avery’s not just smiling for the weather."
I exhaled, leaning back. "She asked for help with econ, that’s all. It’s nothing."
Her brows shot up. "Ah. Tutoring?" She sat up straighter, smirking knowingly. "So that’s her angle."
"It’s not an angle," I said flatly.
"Right," she drawled, rolling her eyes. "Let’s see how Val feels when she finds out you’re suddenly after-school tutoring sessions with Miss Sweet-Smile."
I stayed quiet, which only made her grin grow.
"Thought so," Marina said, sipping her drink. "Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. Girls like Avery? They’re the quiet storm. All polite and harmless until you wake up and realize they’ve moved half their furniture into your life."
I frowned. "You’re exaggerating."
Marina smirked. "Am I?"
Before I could argue, the sharp click of heels echoed from the doorway. Conversation died instantly.
Celestia strolled in like she owned the building, blazer draped over one arm, hair flowing, eyes sweeping the room until they found . Just one look, and she smiled faintly—soft, but territorial enough to make Marina chuckle under her breath.
"Told you," Marina muttered, low enough for only to hear.
---
I didn’t even have the ti to process Marina’s jab about Avery when Celestia’s voice cut through the low hum of chatter in the lecture hall.
> "Husband."
Her tone had that warm lilt that could lt stone, she was already gliding down the row. There was an empty seat to my left—plenty of space—but of course she stopped at Marina’s side, narrowed her eyes, and pointed.
> "Scoot."
Marina arched a brow. "There’s a perfectly good—"
"Scoot," Celestia repeated, sharper.
With a long-suffering sigh, Marina shifted down a seat. Celestia slid in beside like she’d won so territorial war, leaning across just far enough to flash Marina a smile so sweet it was almost hostile.
"Good morning, Marina," she sang, sugary-sweet. Then she turned to , voice softening instantly. "Good morning, husband."
The whiplash between the two greetings nearly gave a headache.
"Morning," I murmured, and already she was tugging on my sleeve, all bright-eyed.
As if on cue, a girl from the row behind started to slip into that empty seat, books already halfway onto the desk.
Celestia’s gaze flicked over, slow and sharp, like a cat who’d just spotted a trespasser. Her smile didn’t budge, but her eyes... cold.
The poor girl faltered, clutched her books back to her chest, and mumbled sothing about preferring the back row before retreating.
Marina let out a low whistle, shaking her head. "Wow. You didn’t even say anything. Do you practice that look in the mirror or is it natural-born intimidation?"
Celestia turned sweetly, tilting her head like butter wouldn’t lt in her mouth. "Practice? Please. That was being polite. If I wanted to be scary, she’d be crying right now."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Val..."
"What?" she said, wide-eyed innocence. "I’m just protecting my seat. You’re my husband, and I don’t share."
Marina leaned back, giving her a look. "You know there was an entire side open. And still, you told to scoot. Fine, I’ll take it. But you could’ve at least let that poor girl sit there instead of terrifying her into retreat."
Celestia blinked innocently, tucking hair behind her ear. "Let her? Next to my husband?" She scoffed. "I was already rciful by not dragging her back and making her explain herself."
Marina’s lips twitched. "rciful, huh?" That girl nearly tripped over her own bag running away."
"Whatever. Besides you’re different," Celestia retorted instantly. "You’re... Marina. You’re like... his—" she made a vague little swirl with her hand, "—historical friend. Seniority or whatever. She’s random. Randoms don’t sit next to my man."
Marina barked out a laugh. "Historical friend. I’ll take it."
Celestia folded her arms smugly. "You should. It ans I tolerate you."
I exhaled, half-amused, half-exhausted. "God help ."
She leaned her chin on my shoulder like she hadn’t just declared war on the entire row. "Speaking of tolerating... guess who behaved like a perfect angel last night? Duchess. Our little child didn’t even scratch the couch! I think she’s finally adjusting."
"Child?" Marina repeated slowly, eyes darting between us.
Celestia tilted her head, completely serious. "Our daughter. Duchess. The most beautiful, refined cat to ever exist."
"She’s a stray you found three days ago," I said, though I couldn’t keep the corner of my mouth from twitching.
"She was lost, abandoned, unloved." Celestia pouted. "Now she has parents. Us. That makes her our child. Logic, husband. Try it."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "You do realize children don’t usually co with claws, right?"
Celestia gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "How dare you insult our daughter in front of Auntie Marina?"
Marina blinked. "Auntie—wait, I’m—what?"
Celestia nodded solemnly. "Obviously. You’ve known Kai since he was a fetus, you can babysit when Duchess needs moral guidance. It’s only fair."
Marina gaped, then laughed under her breath. "You’re unbelievable."
"Unbelievably right," Celestia corrected, smirking as she tucked herself closer to . She looked proud, like she’d solved a world crisis.
"Val, she’s a cat," I reminded, trying not to laugh.
"She’s our baby," Celestia shot back imdiately. "You even bought her toys. Don’t act like you’re not already a dad."
Marina shook her head in disbelief, but there was amusent softening her expression. "So let get this straight. You two are playing house—with a cat."
Celestia bead. "Yes. And it’s not playing if it’s real." She leaned her chin on her hand, looking at with such blatant fondness it made heat crawl up my neck. "He’s a good dad. Very responsible. Paid for everything without even arguing this ti."
"Because you stuffed the cart full before I could," I muttered.
Celestia’s grin widened. "Details. The point is, our daughter’s future is secure."
Marina’s laughter broke the little bubble we’d fallen into. "I can’t believe you two. You’re—actually insane."
"Correction." Celestia raised a finger. "We’re insane, but happy. Very different."
I glanced toward the back of the lecture hall just in ti to catch Avery slipping into a seat a few rows up, her gaze flicking toward us for a mont before she busied herself pulling out her books. She wasn’t smiling this ti, just watching, like she was taking ntal notes.
Before I could dwell on it, the door banged open and Professor Halifax marched in, clapping his hands. "Alright, class, settle down!"
Celestia imdiately leaned back in her seat, whispering, "Pay attention, husband. You have to set a good example for our child."
Marina groaned. "Please don’t say that where people can hear you."
Celestia smirked. "What, that my husband’s brilliant? Why shouldn’t I brag?"
And just like that, the lecture began, with Celestia still smirking triumphantly between and Marina. For the first ti, it almost felt like peace—like maybe Val was finally starting to accept that my best friend wasn’t a threat.
But I didn’t know Avery Brooke Prescott had been watching the entire ti, quietly setting sothing in motion.
---
To the continued...
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