The whole studio cracked up. The Chat Feed blew up: [Queen Ley's slay!] [Shay, you watching this? She's galaxies out of your league now!] Right as the interview wrapped, the host dropped, "One last thing-are you happy with your love life right now?" I froze for half a beat, then laughed. "I'm single. If I had a relationship, I wouldn't have the energy to keep this company flying." *** Leyla's smile lit up the studio, beaming across the country. Even to Shayne, slumped at a bar, eyes locked on the TV. His glass shattered in his hand, whiskey and blood pooling together. He didn't flinch. That smile had already carved right through the hollow in his chest. *** By the time I clocked out, it was stupid late. I stretched my stiff neck and stepped into the night air. Selvora's neon signs buzzed overhead, throwing color across the street. I was about to wave down a cab when I froze. There he was. Shayne. Lurking under a streetlight like some tragic ghost. His shadow dragged across the pavement, and honestly? He looked wrecked. Bloodshot eyes, patchy stubble, shirt so wrinkled it could've walked itself to the laundry. He just stared at me, all sad and broken, but didn't say a word. I frowned. "What do you want?" His throat worked, voice rough like gravel. "All this time, I've been watching you.' || The wind messed up his hair, his lips split and dry. "I know everything. I check your posts ten, twenty times a day." It hadn't even been that long-months at most-but it felt like forever. "Why keep watching me?" I laughed, sharp and humorless. Something twisted in my chest, but mostly? It was just pathetic. 1/2 TJU Bonus "We're done. And..." I cut him with my stare. "You're the one who told me to vanish from your life. So why are you here now?" Pain flickered in his eyes. He lunged forward, reaching for my hand. I yanked back before he got close. "Leyla, don't do this..." His voice cracked, practically begging. The memory hit like a punch-the lipstick on his collar, his arm wrapped around Vanessa like she was something worth protecting. Nausea burned up my throat. "Sorry," I said, meeting his eyes, voice sharp as ice. "You disgust me." The words landed hard. His face went pale, lips parting like he wanted to speak, but nothing came. He looked... hollow, like someone had sucked the soul right out of him. The Chat Feed lit up: [Shay-Shay's eyes just went dark. Ley, how could you be this cruel?] [8 years! Do you know how many 8 years you get in a lifetime? And Ley just tossed it like trash?] [Poor Shay-Shay, clutching her photo to sleep while she grinds away at work. Guess the loved one always gets taken for granted.] I started walking off when his wrecked voice broke the night. "Nothing happened with Vanessa." I hesitated, but didn't turn. "She drugged me that night. I was so drunk, I didn't even know. Leyla, you're the only woman I've ever loved." His words shook, blowing uselessly into the wind. I stood there, and honestly? It was laughable.