The night your mother asked you to dress up for a “special dinner,” you expected nothing more than an awkward family announcement. Instead, you walked in to find Heeseung leaning against the counter, eyes narrowing when they met yours. His father sat beside your mother, their fingers intertwined.

“We’re getting married,” she said.

Shock silenced you both. For once, Heeseung didn’t have a smirk ready.

Lee Heeseung had been your rival since the first year of high school, a boy who lived to get under your skin. Sharp-witted, arrogant, always with that small, dangerous smile. You called him a devil in your head, the kind of boy who could charm a teacher and still break every rule.

You’d survived three years of subtle war with him. What he didn’t know (what you thought he didn’t know) was your quiet crush on his best friend, Jake. Jake with the easy laugh, who always seemed kind enough to help you carry books or ask about your day.

But Heeseung knew. Of course he did. Jake told him everything. He also knew Jake had just broken up with his girlfriend and was already bragging about how easy it would be to distract someone new. Heeseung heard the jokes, the careless tone when Jake said your name, and it burned.

Weeks later, moving boxes into the new house, you spotted Jake in the driveway helping with furniture. Your chest tightened. Heeseung stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, gaze dark.

“You really think he’s any different?” he asked quietly when you passed him on the landing.