As Tay drove back home, the silence inside the car felt heavier than usual. The streetlights passed by in a blur, casting fleeting shadows across his face. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, but his thoughts were far away.
Smily.
Her name echoed in his mind without permission.
He remembered the way she used to laugh—carefree and loud, as if nothing in the world could touch her. He remembered the arguments they had, the way she would stubbornly stand her ground, only to soften moments later with a quiet smile. Those memories were not supposed to come back. Not now.
For a brief moment, something shifted in his expression.
Guilt.
It appeared like a crack in his composed exterior.
But just as quickly, it disappeared. His face hardened again, and he pressed his foot harder on the accelerator, as if speed could silence his thoughts.
When Tay reached home, the house was quiet, but not peaceful.
His mother was waiting.
She stood near the doorway, her eyes filled with concern as she watched him enter.
"You've been acting strange lately," she said gently.
Tay avoided her gaze, walking past her without stopping. "I'm fine."
But his voice lacked conviction.
There was distance in his tone—something cold, unfamiliar.
His mother frowned slightly, sensing the change, but she said nothing more.
Upstairs, Stalin was already waiting.
He had seen enough that night to know something was terribly wrong. His heart was still racing from what he had witnessed—the meeting, the masked man, the exchange.
It wasn't just suspicion anymore.
It was truth.
The moment Tay entered his room and closed the door, Stalin quietly stepped out of his own. Moving carefully, he slipped into Tay's room, his breath shallow, his senses alert.
He knew this was risky.
But he needed answers.
Stalin began searching.
Drawers.
Shelves.
Closets.
Every movement was cautious, deliberate.
Then, in the bottom drawer of a cabinet, he found something.
A stack of photographs.
His hands hesitated for a second before picking them up.
And then—
His breath caught.
Tay.
And Smily.
Together.
In every picture.
They were laughing, standing close, sometimes even holding hands. The warmth between them was undeniable.
Stalin's fingers tightened around the photos.
"They were… together?" he whispered.
Stalin began searching.
Drawers.
Shelves.
Closets.
Every movement was cautious, deliberate.
Then, in the bottom drawer of a cabinet, he found something.
A stack of photographs.
His hands hesitated for a second before picking them up.
And then—
His breath caught.
Tay.
And Smily.
Together.
In every picture.
They were laughing, standing close, sometimes even holding hands. The warmth between them was undeniable.
Stalin's fingers tightened around the photos.
"They were… together?" he whispered.
Meanwhile, across the city, Lovely was already putting her plan into action.
Dressed professionally, carrying herself with confidence, she stepped onto the college campus as if she belonged there.
She spotted Jahnae walking alone.
Perfect.
Taking a calm breath, Lovely approached her.
"Excuse me," she said politely. "I'm new here. Could you help me find this address?"
Jahnae looked at her briefly, her expression neutral at first.
Then she nodded. "Sure. I can take you there."
Lovely smiled, hiding her satisfaction.
The first step had worked.
As they walked together, their conversation flowed naturally. Lovely kept her tone friendly, casual, carefully observing every reaction from Jahnae.
Jahnae seemed relaxed.
Open.
Too open.
It felt almost rehearsed.
Then, as they passed by a narrow pathway, Lovely made her move.
She intentionally brushed against a sharp metal rod.
A small cut appeared on her leg, and she let out a soft gasp.
"Oh!" Jahnae reacted immediately. "You're bleeding."
Lovely pretended to wince.
"It's nothing—"
"No, come with me," Jahnae insisted. "My room is nearby. I'll get you first aid."
Lovely nodded, hiding the slight smile that formed on her lips.
The plan was working perfectly.
Back at the house, Stalin sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the photographs in his hands.
His thoughts were spiraling.
Everything was connecting.
Tay's secret meetings.
The masked man.
The drugs.
And now…
Smily.
A deep unease settled inside him.
"How far have you gone… brother?" he whispered.
Inside Jahnae's room, Lovely stepped in quietly, her eyes scanning every detail without making it obvious.
Books.
Drawers.
Personal items.
Everything was a potential clue.
Jahnae moved around, preparing first aid, unaware of the careful observation taking place behind her.
Lovely smiled faintly.
They were close.
Closer than ever.
To the truth.
And to something far more dangerous than they had imagined.