From Selena' perspective
The days had passed in a blur. Ever since Lucas took Felix away, I hadn't had any contact with him. I didn't know where he was or what was happening to him. Now, I was sitting alone in my apartment, watching my best friend. A strange haze had settled over me—Eve's confession hit me like a sharp blow to the head.
I couldn't believe what she had just told me. She admitted she felt some kind of fascination with Sebastian after spending the night with him—first at a club, then by the river. And since then, she had been lying to Mike, sneaking off to meet her high school crush behind his back.
The thought made my blood boil. I wanted to grab the heaviest object nearby and smash it on her stupid head.
"Do you expect me to start applauding you?" I attacked her with a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "Behind Mike's back, you're seeing Sebastian. Basically cheating on a great guy with the very person you had a toxic relationship with back in high school. Did you get bored of Mike so fast? Your soulmate?"
My words stunned her. That was clearly not what she had expected.
"I'm not cheating on Mike, Selena. What are you talking about?" she protested.
"Then what is this? Sneaking around secretly with another guy? That's betrayal, plain and simple. If you just want to be friends with Sebastian, then don't hide it from Mike, for God's sake."
Eve swallowed hard, her throat working nervously.
"You know very well I was fascinated by Sebastian back in high school," she admitted quietly. "Back then, he was just a shy, awkward kid. But now… he's a really cool guy."
The stress and emotions overwhelmed me, and I started to laugh nervously.
"So that's why you want to go to bed with him? Because he's 'cool' now? Think about Mike and the child you have with him. Don't make jokes out of this."
"I'm serious, Selena," she said, locking eyes with me. "I love Mike. That will never change. But I can't help feeling this pull toward Sebastian. I wanted to tell someone, and instead, you keep attacking me instead of trying to understand."
"Understand?" I echoed sarcastically. "What's there to understand? Loving someone doesn't mean you get to date someone else behind their back! I still love Felix, and even though we can't be together, I don't even think about anyone else. I don't want anyone else!" My voice cracked as I shouted.
Eve looked at me with disbelief, mouth slightly open.
"You love him, but you're fascinated by him too. He was your first love, and you can't be with him. It's different for me—I've been with Mike for years, and we have a child. Meeting Sebastian stirs something in me. He's changed, and I'm curious."
"Eve, do you even hear yourself? You want to ruin your life for a temporary thrill. You'll probably end up sleeping with Sebastian. Mike won't forgive you for that, you know it. And don't forget—you have a child." I struggled to make her understand how terrible this was. She wasn't just hurting her partner; she was hurting her child, who deserved to grow up in a happy, complete family. "Please, think about Lily."
"But still—"
"No. I don't want to hear it," I cut her off. "Sebastian's a mess. He doesn't even know what he wants. Now he's on Lucas's radar because he betrayed him. This man has changed completely. He's not serious about you. And I want you to know that I'm on Mike's side. He's also my friend, and he's loyal. He truly loves you. Think hard before you mess this up. That's all I have to say."
I stood up and walked over to the kitchenette, leaning on the countertop with both hands. I closed my eyes, furious and confused, unable to digest Eve's confession.
"I won't keep tormenting you with my problems. I can see you've got your own issues with Felix. You gave up everything for him and almost got in trouble with the law. And now… Lucas is capable of anything," she said softly, still sitting on the couch with my back turned to her. "I was shocked when you called me that night and told me everything."
"It's impossible to get him back now. My being there only made things worse without medication. Lucas will never let us be together. I thought he wanted the best for him. I was wrong."
"There really is something wrong with Felix," she said. "You should give him some space. Honestly, I was relieved when you told me you got back together."
I turned to her, frowning.
"What do you mean?"
"Mike told me Felix still has serious problems. He regrets letting you go with him. He's worried about you."
"On what basis?" I asked, watching Eve nervously play with her fingers. "Is it because some woman called the grandparents' cottage in the middle of the night, warning me about Felix? Who was she? Mike must have given her my number."
Eve bit her lip, avoiding my eyes.
"You shouldn't dwell on it. It's better that Lucas is taking care of him. You need to stay away."
"Are you hiding something? Why won't you tell me the truth?"
"I think you'll find out soon enough," she said, standing and coming over to place a hand on my shoulder.
"I promise I won't do anything to ruin my family. Don't worry. Sorry if I upset you. You have your own problems."
"Can you at least tell me who called to warn me about Felix?"
"I think it's best if you see it with your own eyes. Then you'll understand how serious Felix's situation is, and why you need to stop fighting over him." Her eyes were sad. "Take care. I'm going to pick up Lily from kindergarten."
I watched as she put on her shoes and left.
At that moment, I was completely lost. I didn't understand anything anymore.
*
Drinking beer from a can, late at night, I sat by the river, watching the water flow silently under the moonlight. The cold metal felt soothing in my hand, but my mind was a storm. I was lost in my thoughts, so I barely noticed the occasional passerby.
Felix haunted my every moment. What was happening to him now? When I saw him again after all those years, I thought he'd gotten better—that his condition was improving, that maybe he no longer needed medication.
But I was wrong.
Without the meds, he couldn't function. The illness didn't ease—it tightened its grip. Worse still, his eyes looked hollow, his face drained of life, weighed down by a depression that no one could lift. I saw it all in my mind's eye—his sadness, the emptiness. I was no comfort to him. My presence only seemed to deepen his despair.
I was lost. I would never get back the love I had fought for.
It was heartbreaking. For him, I'd risked everything. I gave up my steady life. And what did I have in return? Nothing—no one, no job, no future.
Was this karma from a past life? Why was it failing me now, just when Felix returned after all those years? Why wasn't he given the chance to heal, to live normally? Why did he have to suffer so much, trapped in the shadow of mental illness?
I refilled my beer and crushed the empty can in my hand, feeling tears prick beneath my eyelids.
"I see I'm not the only one who comes here to drown their sorrows," a voice said softly.
I turned my glazed eyes to see Hannah sitting beside me on the bench. She popped open a beer and took a slow sip.
"I won't tell you how Felix is doing," she said quietly. "Lucas threw me out of his car that night, right in the middle of the street. I had nothing, no idea what to do. It's a miracle I made it to the apartment I'm renting."
"What were you even doing with him? Why were you with him?" I asked, watching her profile in the dim light.
"The other night, when you decided to kidnap your prince, Mike asked me to help hold Lucas back. I managed it, but Lucas wasn't stupid. He figured out I was working with you. So he took me to his house and kept me there."
"Lucas kidnapped you?" I felt my face blanch. "Didn't anyone look for you?"
"No one could. I haven't spoken to my mother since I didn't go to college. I have no one. The girl I rent with doesn't care about me. She just lives her own life," Hannah said with a shrug. "I impressed Lucas somehow, so he took me to a party at his club. There, he told me if I sided with him, I could have anything I wanted. I agreed—I had no choice. I was scared. I thought if I refused, he'd hurt me. Then, suddenly, he threw me out on the street like garbage, saying he was 'giving me freedom.' I don't get him. Are their problems genetic? Because he mentioned Felix is his half-brother. His younger brother."
I almost spit out my beer.
"Lucas is Felix's older brother?" My voice squeaked. "So Felix was right to suspect…"
"I don't know the details. That's all I know."
I couldn't understand why Lucas would just toss Hannah aside like that, after kidnapping her and wanting her on his side. Was she just a toy to keep him entertained while Felix was away? The moment his brother came back, she was no longer needed?
"Sorry to pry, but did he say anything else?"
Hannah looked at me with amused eyes.
"Why? Want me to spill dirt on him?"
"You brought this up yourself," I said sharply.
"There's one more thing…" She hesitated, eyes flickering with fear and curiosity. "Are Eve and Mike okay?"
A chill ran down my spine. I had a sinking feeling.
"Has Lucas planned something for them? Please don't say yes. I'm worried about Lily."
"Sebastian didn't just appear in your friend's life by accident," Hannah said. "All I know is Lucas gave him a second chance. If Sebastian fails him, it'll end badly."
I knew this wasn't coincidence.
Though ironically, I was watching my friend now—walking close to Sebastian. I still couldn't believe she was seeing him.
I sprang to my feet, fury burning in my chest as I called out.
"Eve!"
Heads turned. Eve's face paled in the lamplight.
"Hannah?" she murmured, noticing her old friend next to me.
"Eve? Sebastian?" I said, stepping closer, voice sharp. "I don't know which one of you disappoints me more."
"Selena, seriously, we're just friends," Eve tried to explain, but I cut her off with a hard look at Sebastian.
"I'm grateful for all you've done for me and Felix. I know I'm the reason you have problems with Lucas. But I won't forgive you if you destroy Eve and Mike's lives. They have a child."
Sebastian glanced at Hannah, who sat quietly behind us.
"Did she tell you?"
"And you don't seem surprised you're no longer Lucas's prisoner," I said, staring him down.
"What is this all about?" Eve asked, confused.
"Since you're friends with Sebastian, let him explain everything. I hope he tells you why he wants to break up your family. Don't cry when it's too late."
I turned and walked away, heading home. Through it all, the ones I pitied most were Mike and their child.
Mike didn't deserve this pain. He had already lost his best friend—now he might lose the woman he loved.
And that thought hurt more than anything.