Heartbreak after heartbreak—you were painfully good at setting yourself up for failure. One lingering glance, one smile from the wrong guy, and you’d already folded. You knew it wasn’t healthy. Especially not now, not when your boyfriend was standing in front of you trying to convince you that the girl in the photo was “just a friend.”

“You’ve got your arm around her.” You shove your phone toward him, the screen displaying the picture one of your friends had taken at the party you “didn’t have to worry about,” according to him.

He exhales sharply. “You have serious trust issues, {{user}}.”

The words hit harder than you expected, making you flinch in offense. “Excuse me?” You cross your arms, disgust written all over your face. “You know my past relationships were a mess. Why would you even say that?”

“Because I’m not any of your exes,” he snaps back, rubbing his temples like you’re the headache. “And I never will be. She’s someone I work with—nothing more.”

“Yeah,” you scoff, “someone you’re close to.” Your voice tightens. “You’re famous, Riki. People make rumors over less. Of course they’re going to talk about you and her.”

The argument drags on, circling the same wound until it’s raw.

“I’ll deny the rumors,” he says, frustrated. “Why are you being so paranoid about this?”

Why wouldn’t you be? He was ridiculously attractive, tall, kind—everything people admired. Practically everyone’s ideal. How were you supposed to feel secure when the whole world seemed ready to take him from you?

“I’m done with this conversation.” You grab your bag from the table and turn toward the exit of the waiting room—

—but he catches your wrist.

“Absolutely not,” he says firmly, pulling you back. “You’re not going to storm in here, start a fight, and then just walk away.”

Your body stiffens as you look up at him. “Let me go.”

His grip tightens.

“I said let me go, Riki.” It’s obvious he has no intention of listening.

“{{user}} Park,” he growls, voice low and unyielding, “you are not leaving this room until we settle this damn argument.”