Felix's POV
I stood on the balcony, the cold night air brushing against my skin as I took a long drag from my cigarette. The stars above sparkled faintly, but my mind was far from their beauty. I couldn’t stop thinking about Aira.
She was always at the back of my mind, like a shadow that wouldn’t leave. No matter how much I tried to focus on Jenna or move forward, Aira’s presence lingered. There was something about her—the way she laughed, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy—that I couldn’t shake off.
I crushed the cigarette against the railing, feeling the frustration build up inside me. Why does she still have this hold on me? I asked myself. It had been months since we last spoke, and yet, every decision I made seemed to circle back to her.
But it wasn’t just her. It was everything I did to try to protect her, the lengths I went to make sure she was safe—even if it meant pushing people like Jenna away. I glanced back through the glass doors, where Jenna was still inside, probably resting after the long night.
Jenna. She was different. She was strong, straightforward, and unpredictable. She challenged me in ways Aira never did. But despite the connection Jenna and I were forming, Aira’s memory loomed large, reminding me of unfinished business, of a love I had tried to bury.
I sighed heavily and lit another cigarette, staring into the distance. I had to make a choice. I couldn’t keep dragging Jenna into my past, but the truth was, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to let go of Aira completely.
What am I even doing? I thought, running a hand through my hair in frustration. I couldn’t keep living in the middle of two lives. Jenna deserved more, and deep down, I knew I had to face the truth about Aira, whether I liked it or not.
But as much as I tried to push the thoughts aside, revenge clawed its way back into my mind. Aira didn’t deserve to be hurt, and every time I remembered how that guy and his mistress destroyed her, it ignited something dark in me. They needed to feel the pain they caused—both of them.
I clenched my fists, the cool metal of the balcony railing biting into my skin as I leaned forward. This wasn’t just about Aira anymore. It was about justice—or maybe it was about the satisfaction of knowing I could hurt them the way they hurt her. I couldn’t stand the thought of them living their lives freely, laughing, while Aira had been left shattered.
I’d watched her fall apart, piece by piece, and I hated myself for not being able to stop it. For not being able to fix it. But now, I had a way. A way to make them both feel what she felt—what I felt.
I took a deep breath, calming the storm brewing inside me. Tomorrow, I would begin. I had connections, power, and resources at my disposal. I could make it happen. I could make them regret every decision that led to Aira’s heartbreak.
The next morning, I heard movement from the other room—Jenna was awake. I stubbed out the cigarette I had been nursing since dawn and downed the last of my coffee. I needed to get my head straight. There was a lot I had to do today, but for now, I had to deal with her.
When Jenna walked into the living room, she looked tired. Her eyes were puffy, and it was clear she didn’t sleep well. I could sense the tension in her. She barely acknowledged me as she sat on the couch, pulling her knees up to her chest.
"Good morning," I said, watching her closely. She didn’t respond immediately, just stared out the window, lost in thought.
"What's the plan for today?" she asked finally, her voice quiet, distant.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “We’ve got a few meetings lined up, but nothing you need to worry about. Just stay by my side, smile when needed. That's all.”
She let out a sigh, clearly frustrated with the situation. I could see it—the resentment, the hurt. But I didn’t have time to deal with her emotions right now. My focus was elsewhere. On revenge.
As much as Jenna was in my life now, there was a bigger storm brewing behind the scenes, one she had no idea about. The meeting today wasn’t just about business. It was about setting things in motion.
“I’ll get ready then,” she muttered, standing up to leave the room. She didn’t wait for my response, and I didn’t stop her.
Once she was gone, I leaned forward, staring at the empty space she left behind. I should’ve felt something for her—guilt, maybe, for using her as a pawn in this game. But all I could think about was Aira and what I had to do next.
The clock was ticking, and I was ready to make my move.
As I waited, I heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching. Turning toward the door, I saw Lila, my younger sister, stepping into the room. She had that same confident, no-nonsense expression she always carried.
“Felix,” she greeted, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorway. “I didn’t expect to find you this early in the morning.”
I gave her a nod, watching her closely. Lila had always been sharp, always aware of what was happening around her. We grew up in the same ruthless environment, but she’d taken a different path, one that didn’t involve getting tangled up in the mess I was creating.
“What brings you here?” I asked, setting my cup down on the table. I had a feeling she wasn’t just here for a casual visit.
She walked further into the room, glancing briefly at the window before turning her attention back to me. “I heard about your little... arrangement with that girl--Jenna.” Her tone was calm, but I could sense the underlying disapproval. “What are you trying to prove with all this?”
I stood up, walking toward the window myself, not really wanting to face her judgment. “It’s not about proving anything, Lila,” I said, looking out at the cityscape. “It’s about control. And I’m taking back what’s mine.”
“Control?” she repeated, a slight scoff in her voice. “Since when did dragging a girl into your twisted revenge plot become about control?”
I stayed silent for a moment, my hands tightening into fists. She had a point, but I wasn’t about to admit it. Not to her. “You don’t understand,” I finally said. “It’s not just about Jenna. It’s about Aira, about making sure that guy and his sidepiece pay for what they did.”
Lila sighed, walking up beside me. “Felix, you’ve always been driven, but this... this is different. You’re getting lost in this need for revenge, and it’s going to end badly if you don’t stop.”
I glanced at her, seeing the concern in her eyes. She cared, I knew that, but she didn’t understand. She didn’t know the depth of betrayal I felt.
“This isn’t your fight, Lila,” I repeated, my voice hardening. “Stay out of it.”
“Stay out of it? Seriously?” she snapped, her eyes blazing with anger. “You bet that girl—you literally put her on the line—even though you don’t like her. What kind of game are you playing, Felix?”
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my composure. Lila always knew how to push my buttons. “It’s not that simple,” I replied sharply. “Jenna wasn’t just a bet. She’s... collateral. A pawn I needed to make Aiden feel cornered.”
Lila threw her hands up, frustration clear on her face. “Collateral? That’s what you’re calling her now?” she said, voice dripping with disbelief. “And here I thought you couldn’t sink lower. She’s not just some piece in your game, Felix. She’s a person.”
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. “I know that,” I growled. “But Aiden doesn’t get to walk away clean after what he did—not to Aira, not to Jenna. He needs to pay.”
“By hurting Jenna?” Lila shot back, stepping closer. “By using her like this? Don’t you see that you’re becoming just as bad as him?”
Her words struck a nerve, but I kept my face blank, refusing to let her see how much they affected me. I turned my back to her, staring out at the city again. “I don't care in your opinion, Lila. Keeping her away from Aiden is better than letting her go back to someone who clearly never cared.”
“And what about you?” she asked softly, her voice no longer filled with anger, but something else—something sad. “Do you care, Felix? Or is this just about revenge for you?”
I stiffened, refusing to answer.
Lila shook her head slowly. “You’re deluding yourself if you think she’s going to be okay when all this is done. You’re putting her in the middle of your mess, and it’s not fair to her. What if—”
“Enough,” I cut her off, my voice harsh. “This conversation is over. I know what I’m doing.”
Silence hung between us, heavy and suffocating. Lila sighed, shaking her head as if I was a lost cause. “You’re going to regret this one day,” she murmured, turning away. “And by then, it’ll be too late.”
She didn’t wait for a response. The door closed softly behind her, leaving me alone once more.
Regret? Maybe. But for now, regret was a luxury I couldn’t afford. There was too much riding on this. Jenna was just a means to an end—no matter what Lila thought. But the small voice in the back of my head whispered otherwise, making me wonder if I was lying to myself as much as I was to everyone else.
I rubbed a hand over my face, frustration clawing at me. I had a plan. A clear path forward. Aiden needed to pay, and Jenna, whether she liked it or not, was the key to that.
But Lila’s words lingered, an uncomfortable truth I didn’t want to face.
Do you care, Felix?
Shaking my head, I shoved the thought aside. Caring meant weakness, and I couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now. Not ever.
“Focus,” I muttered to myself. Because once this was over, maybe then I’d figure out what Jenna really meant to me.