FATAL TROUBLE (ENHYPEN REVERSE HAREM)

Part 82 Swan of his eyes

The soft hum of voices around the university gates was drowned out by the constant buzz of your thoughts. You sat on the wooden bench near the entrance, staring blankly at the gate ahead, lost in the swirl of emotions from the past few days. The events, the revelations, and the haunting messages-it all weighed heavily on your mind.

You barely registered the sound of a car approaching until a sharp honk jolted you out of your trance. Your head snapped up, and you frantically looked around, disoriented.

Jake leaned out of the window of his car, his brows furrowed in concern. "Ella?"

Seeing your state, he immediately pushed the door open and rushed to you, his long strides covering the distance in seconds. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into his chest.

"Baby, it's okay," he murmured, his voice gentle but firm. His hand rubbed soothing circles on your back, and his other hand cradled the back of your head, his fingers threading softly through your hair. He pressed a kiss to the crown of your head, then another on your temple, his warmth grounding you as you clung to him tightly.

"Ella, what happened?" he asked softly, his voice filled with worry as he pulled back slightly to look at you.

You shook your head, not meeting his gaze, your fingers gripping his shirt like a lifeline. "Just... take me to the beach," you whispered, your voice barely audible. "The one we always go to. Please."

Jake searched your face for a moment, his concern deepening as he saw the shadows under your eyes and the slight tremor in your voice. But he didn't push for answers. He nodded, his hands never leaving you.

"Okay," he said gently. "I'll take you there. Come on."

He led you to the car, opening the door for you before sliding into the driver's seat. As the car pulled away from the university, he glanced at you, his hand briefly resting on your knee in a silent gesture of reassurance.

The road stretched out ahead, but all you could think about was the calming sound of waves, the one place where everything seemed to pause, if only for a moment.

The familiar sound of waves crashing against the shore greeted you as Jake parked the car and led you down the sandy path to the beach. The air was cool and salty, the faint glow of the evening sun casting golden hues across the horizon. Despite the beauty around you, your mind was a storm of emotions, and the usual comfort this place brought felt distant.

Jake hadn't let go of your hand since you arrived. His grip was firm yet gentle, a silent reminder that he was there, even though you'd been unusually quiet the entire drive. He didn't press you for answers, sensing that you needed time.

The two of you walked along the shoreline, your footsteps leaving fleeting impressions in the wet sand. You kept glancing at him out of the corner of your eye, watching how his gaze lingered on the waves or occasionally flicked down to your joined hands. Each time you glanced at him, your thoughts spiraled further.

Should I ask him? you wondered, your heart pounding. What if it changes everything? What if he doesn't tell me the truth?

Your eyes shifted back to the horizon, the orange and pink hues blending with the deep blue of the sea. The scenery offered no answers, only more questions.

Your heart wavered. You didn't want to break the fragile peace of this moment, yet the unanswered questions gnawed at you relentlessly. Why wouldn't anyone talk about that first year? What had happened that had left such a deep scar on everyone involved?

Another glance at Jake. His grip on your hand was steady, comforting, and for a moment, you debated letting the questions go. But then you thought about the photos, the messages, the constant sense of being watched. You couldn't keep walking blindly.