All three of them woke up late.
Panicking, they skipped breakfast and rushed to college.
By the time they arrived, the professor was already in class, making an announcement.
They quietly slipped inside and sneaked to the last bench, trying not to get noticed.
The professor left as soon as he finished the announcement. The moment he stepped out, they all relaxed.
"Hahhh… finally, I can breathe," Havey sighed. "Uff… hey, what did the professor say earlier?" he asked the classmate sitting in front of him.
"Oh, it's just that they're going to conduct a program at the end of this month. They've already made the groups, and the list is going to—ting—looks like they just sent it."
Ivy froze for a moment.
This… this is that event.
Her mind replayed the story.
They divided the groups from lowest to highest scorers… and this was all set up to expose Ivy.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
The real Ivy wasn't good at studies… the entrance exam score she got… was because she cheated.
And after this… everything fell apart.
Everyone found out.
She was humiliated in front of the entire college.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
She only did it… because she wanted to be acknowledged.
She thought… just once… they would praise her.
A bitter feeling rose in her chest.
But they didn't even look at her.
And the one who exposed her… was her so-called brother—Anos.
Ivy's expression hardened.
He knew from the very beginning that she cheated…
But he didn't expose her then.
Her eyes darkened slightly.
He waited.
He planned everything—just to reveal it in front of everyone at the perfect moment.
But the real Ivy isn't here anymore.
Her lips curled slightly.
So go ahead… play your little game, Anos.
Her eyes sharpened with quiet confidence.
Soon enough… you'll be the one falling into the hole you dug yourself.
They checked the list—and froze.
They were all in different groups.
A wave of disappointment hit them.
"Hahhh… why did they separate us? I don't want this!" Havey threw a tantrum, slumping dramatically over the desk.
Lea was just as upset, her face clearly showing her disappointment.
Both of them turned to Ivy—
But she looked completely calm.
No reaction.
As if it didn't matter.
In reality, she already knew what was coming. Her mind was preparing—for Anos.
Havey frowned.
He suddenly grabbed her hand and stared at her intensely.
Ivy blinked, confused. "What are you—"
Bite.
"Ahh! Have you gone mad?!" she hissed, pulling her hand back.
Havey just stuck out his tongue at her mischievously.
Ivy sighed.
"Hey, what's wrong with that? It's just for two weeks," she said calmly. "It's not like we'll be away from each other or something."
Havey puffed his cheeks, still clearly unhappy.
"That's not the point," he muttered. "It's boring without you guys."
Lea nodded in agreement. "Yeah… it won't feel the same."
Ivy rolled her eyes slightly. "You both are acting like we're being separated forever."
Havey leaned back dramatically. "Emotionally, we are."
Lea sighed but then looked at Ivy again, her expression softening. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"
Ivy paused for a second.
Of course I'm not…
But this has to happen.
She gave a small nod. "Yeah. It's fine."
Havey narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced. "Hmm… you're hiding something."
"I'm not," Ivy replied flatly.
"Liar," he said immediately.
Lea chuckled softly at their exchange, though a hint of worry still lingered in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Ivy looked down at the group list again.
Let's see, Anos…
What are you planning this time?
Her gaze slowly moved down the list.
There it was.
Her group.
And just as she expected—
Anos.
Ivy let out a quiet breath.
Of course…
Havey leaned closer. "Who's in your group?"
Ivy hesitated for a second. "…Anos."
"What?!" Havey shot up from his seat. "That jerk?!"
Lea's expression instantly darkened. "No… this is bad."
"It's fine," Ivy said calmly.
"No, it's not fine," Havey snapped. "He already has a problem with you. What if he tries something?"
Ivy shrugged lightly. "Let him."
Both of them stared at her.
"Are you even hearing yourself?" Lea asked.
Ivy gave a faint smile.
This is exactly what I've been waiting for.
"If he tries anything…" she said quietly, her eyes turning cold, "…I'll handle it."
Havey crossed his arms, still worried. "I don't like this."
Lea nodded. "Me neither."
Ivy looked at them, her expression softening just a little.
"Hey… it's just a program, remember?" she said. "Don't overthink it."
But deep inside—
This isn't just a program.
This is the beginning of that incident.
Ivy chose not to tell them that Anos was her foster brother.
Not because she didn't trust them—
But because she did.
If they knew… they would definitely confront him.
And that would only create more trouble.
So she stayed silent.
After college, Havey and Ivy went to the mart to buy groceries. Lea had gone to visit her family after being called.
Inside the store—
"Why are you even buying that? We're not making that for dinner," Havey argued.
"Excuse me? I'm the one cooking," Ivy shot back.
"And I'm the one eating! I have rights!"
"You have complaints, not rights."
They bickered back and forth, walking through the aisles like an old married couple.
Not far away, Kylan stood with his little sister.
His eyes landed on them.
Ivy and Havey—laughing, arguing, walking close to each other.
His gaze darkened slightly.
"…So this is how it is," he muttered under his breath.
"kyly , what are you looking at?" his little sister asked, tugging his sleeve.
Kylan didn't answer immediately. His gaze stayed fixed on Ivy and Havey.
"…Nothing," he said finally.
But his eyes didn't move.
Meanwhile—
"Put that back."
"No."
"Havey."
"No."
Ivy turned and glared at him. "We are not buying five packs of instant noodles."
"They're essential."
"They're not."
"They are for survival."
"You're not in a war."
He gasped dramatically. "Wow… you're so heartless."
Ivy rolled her eyes and snatched the packets from his hand, placing them back on the shelf.
Havey looked personally betrayed.
"You've changed."
"You've become cruel."
"Good."
Kylan watched the entire exchange.
The way she spoke.
The way she didn't hold back.
The way she… looked comfortable.
With him.
His jaw tightened unconsciously.
So she laughs like that too…
His sister followed his gaze and spotted them.
"Kyly, is that your friend?" she asked innocently.
Kylan's expression turned cold.
"…No."
But even as he said it—
His eyes lingered on Ivy.
Ivy grabbed a few vegetables and turned to Havey. "Carry this," she said, handing him the basket.
He groaned but took it anyway, still muttering complaints under his breath.
From a distance, Kylan watched them leave the aisle together, his expression unreadable.
Kylan left his sister with the driver, asking him to take her home.
Without another word, he turned and followed them.
From a distance, he watched as Ivy and Havey walked together—laughing, arguing
Kylan stood there for a moment, watching them disappear into the building.
The same condo.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
So… they're living together?
A faint irritation crept in—something unfamiliar, something he didn't quite like.
He turned and walked away, but his mind stayed behind.
You avoid me… but stay this close with him…
His jaw tightened.
For some reason—
That didn't sit right with him at all.
She pushed me away… but lets him stay close.
He scoffed under his breath.
"…Ridiculous."
But even as he walked away, his steps slowed.
Something restless lingered in his chest—an unfamiliar irritation he couldn't quite name.
He replayed the scene in his mind.
Her laughter.
Her ease.
The way she didn't hesitate around Havey.
His grip tightened unconsciously.
But with me…
His expression darkened.
She looks at me like I'm a problem.
Kylan let out a quiet scoff, trying to brush it off.
"…It's none of my business."
Yet, despite saying that—
He glanced back once more at the building before finally leaving.
After dinner, Havey ate quickly and left the condo.
The house fell quiet.
Ivy sat down, her mind already working.
I need to recall everything clearly…
She closed her eyes, going through the storyline step by step.
First… Anos gives an impossible task.
Something no one could realistically complete in the given time.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
The real Ivy panicked.
She thought she could rely on the same person who helped her cheat in the entrance exam.
A faint, bitter smile appeared on her lips.
But Anos had already planned ahead.
He bribed that person.
Her eyes opened slowly.
And when everything went wrong…
That's when the truth came out.
The humiliation.
The whispers.
The disgust in everyone's eyes.
Ivy leaned back, exhaling slowly.
So this is the trap.
And this time…
Her gaze turned sharp.
I won't fall into it.