Chapter 12 Chapter 12 When morning came , Jonathan woke up feeling the usual burden of frustration settling in his chest . His thoughts circled back to his brother , Nathaniel - always Nathaniel . Whenever he felt like this , he had one place to go - Laura . She had always been his solace . And so , without thinking too much , Jonathan grabbed his jacket and headed toward the Levines ' house , his mind set on finding comfort . He knocked on the door , expecting the usual , a quiet exchange with Mrs. Levine before getting to Laura . But to his surprise , when the door swung open , Mrs. Levine's face broke into a warm smile . " Oh , hello , Jonathan . Come in , come in , " she said , her voice filled with a kindness that threw him off balance . Jonathan blinked , confused . Just the other day , she had barely let him in , her manner cool and hesitant . But now , there was no trace of that hesitation - only an open , welcoming gesture that felt strangely ... different . He hesitated for a moment , but then stepped inside , feeling a growing sense of unease , unsure of what had changed . " Uh , is Laura home ? " Jonathan asked , glancing around the living room , expecting to see her lounging on the couch or tucked away with a book in her usual spot . Mrs. Levine nodded , still smiling . " She is , but she's a bit busy this morning . Why don't you sit down for a moment , dear ? " Her tone was gentle , almost too pleasant , and it did nothing to ease Jonathan's confusion . Their attention were suddenly caught as Laura's footsteps echoed softly down the stairs . When Laura appeared , Jonathan's breath caught in his throat . She looked ... different . She wore a light pink long - sleeved dress , the hem short enough to reveal her smooth , flawless legs . Her hair was braided neatly to the side , and a soft , clean layer of makeup brightened her features , with a tint of red on her lips that made them look ... too inviting . Jonathan blinked . This wasn't the first time he'd seen her dressed up , but something about this look unsettled him . It wasn't just the dress - it was the fact that she was wearing it to go somewhere without him . The thought irritated him more than he expected . Why wear something like that ? A knot of frustration tightened in his chest . " Oh ? Jonathan ? " Laura's voice broke his thoughts . She blinked , her expression demure , not nearly as enthusiastic as she usually was when he dropped by . " What brought you here ? " Her casual tone stung . What do you mean what brought me here ? Jonathan thought , frowning inwardly . I'm your friend , isn't it normal for me to visit you ? Out loud , he blurted , " Where are you going ? " His voice was sharper than intended . Laura smiled , leaning down to kiss her mother on the cheek . " I'm going out to buy something , " she replied , her tone light but giving away nothing . Jonathan stared , unsatisfied . Buy something ? Wearing that ? His thoughts whirled with jealousy , though he couldn't quite understand why . " Then , can I go with you ? " he asked abruptly , unable to hide the edge in his voice . " We can talk on the way . " Laura hesitated , her gaze lingering on him as if weighing her options . Then , with a small chuckle , she nodded . " Sure , let's go . Saves me the hassle of driving . " Her response was lighthearted , but Jonathan couldn't shake the unease in his chest as they walked out together . Something about this morning felt different . Why am I getting worked up over this ? he thought , glancing at her again . Chapter 12 +25 BONUS As they settled into the car , Jonathan closed the door and was instantly enveloped by Laura's sweet , intoxicating scent . It was subtle , but powerful enough to make him flinch . His grip on the steering wheel tightened as his eyes drifted toward her , watching her buckle her seatbelt . His gaze lingered longer than it should have , drawn to how effortlessly beautiful she looked . The lightness of her perfume filled the space , clouding his thoughts . Suddenly , Laura turned to him , her brow furrowing slightly . " What's wrong ? " she asked , her tone innocent and eyes wide , completely unaware of the turmoil bubbling inside him . Jonathan quickly averted his eyes , clearing his throat . Ugh ... He tried to push the thoughts away , but it only made the confusion deepen . This wasn't the same woman who had once confessed to him , the one who had looked at him with those same eyes , filled with hope and vulnerability . Now , they seemed distant , almost carefree . As if the weight she once carried for him had vanished . " N - nothing , " Jonathan stammered , forcing a smile . " Just ... thinking . " Laura tilted her head slightly , curious but not pushing further . She simply smiled , that same bright smile she'd given him earlier , and turned her gaze back to the road ahead , leaving Jonathan alone with his thoughts . The drive had been quiet , the air heavy with unspoken thoughts until Laura broke the silence . " You said you wanted to talk on the way ? " she asked casually , turning her head slightly toward him . " Ah , yes , " Jonathan answered , pulling himself from his tangled thoughts . He glanced at her quickly , trying to read her expression . " How have you been ? " " What do you mean ? " she responded with a soft chuckle . " We just saw each other yesterday . " " Yeah , and you left me alone at the café , " he added with a chuckle , though there was a hint of frustration buried beneath it . Laura gasped softly , her hand covering her mouth as she apologized , " Oh no ... I am so sorry ... I didn't mean to- " " It's okay , " Jonathan cut her off , laughing lightly , trying to wave it off . " I do leave you hanging sometimes . I deserved it , haha . " His voice softened . " But at least now I get to be with you . " . Laura glanced at him , her lips twitching into a small smile , though it didn't quite reach her eyes . " Hm . So , what did you want to tell me ? " she asked , shifting the conversation forward , her curiosity piqued as they neared her destination . Jonathan hesitated for a moment before speaking , his eyes flickering between her and the road . " Ah . My girlfriend and I broke up , " he confessed with a bitter chuckle , half - expecting some kind of reaction from her . Laura's expression remained calm , almost indifferent . " Ah ... I see ... " she muttered , her voice barely above a whisper , as if the news didn't matter much to her . Her gaze stayed fixed ahead , unfazed by the revelation .. Jonathan blinked in surprise . " That's it ? " he asked , confusion creeping into his voice . 1 " Huh ? " Laura finally turned to him , raising an eyebrow . " I mean ... it's not your first breakup . As far as I've known , when girls break up with you , you just shrug it off , so what's the big deal , right ? " She smirked , her tone teasing , as if trying to make light of the situation . The words stung more than Jonathan had anticipated . Her casual dismissal of his pain gnawed at him , leaving him feeling hollow . She doesn't care . He forced a smile , laughing along with her joke , but the laughter felt wrong , as if he was losing something he couldn't quite grasp . Just then , Laura perked up , her eyes lighting up as she pointed out the window . " Drop me off here , " she said with a smile . Jonathan's foot hit the brake instinctively , his brows furrowing - not just because she was about to leave him alone again , but because of what he saw outside . A man stood by the road , waiting for her . Dressed in a sharp black suit , the man smiled warmly , his confidence and ease unsettling Jonathan . The sight of him there - waiting for Laura - shocked him to his core . " Thanks , " Laura said nonchalantly as she closed the door , leaving Jonathan stunned . He watched her walk over to the man , who immediately offered his arm . Laura , without hesitation , clung to him , smiling as if she had known him forever . Chapter 12 +25 BONUS Jonathan's grip tightened around the steering wheel , his knuckles turning white . He felt his heart race as a pit formed in his stomach . " What the hell ? " he muttered under his breath . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!