It started subtle.

Kate leaning closer than she needed to.

Laughing a little too softly, a little too sweetly.

Her hand brushing Javier’s forearm under the pretense of pointing something out and you felt your stomach twist every time she did it.

Javier didn’t react—not in the way you expected. No frown, no blushing, no leaning away or toward her. He just kept talking about the route, completely oblivious to the way Kate’s eyelashes kept fluttering at him.

But that didn’t stop the jealousy from curling tight in your chest, burning hotter with each passing second.

At one point she tucked her hair behind her ear—dramatically, unnecessarily—while looking up at him through her lashes.

And he didn’t even notice. Of course he didn’t.

You stepped back, the sound of your own pulse loud in your ears. “I’ll… give you two a minute,” you muttered.

Before either of them could respond, you turned and walked away. You kept your pace steady until you reached the hallway, and only once you were out of sight did you let your shoulders sag. The shared room you and Javi slept in felt mercifully quiet when you shut the door behind you.

But the sting wouldn’t go away.

Not when Kate looked so confident.

Not when you felt so small.

You heard footsteps outside the door—slow, searching.

Then a soft knock.

“Mi cariño?”

The sound of his voice made your heart lurch. Before you could answer, the door creaked open and Javier stepped inside, his eyes immediately locking onto you in the low light.

He closed the door gently behind him. “What happened?” he asked, concern tightening his features. “You walked off so fast.”

You stiffened. “It’s nothing, Javi.”

His brows pulled together, and he crossed the small room with a few steady steps. He lowered himself to a kneel in front of you, eyes softening as he looked up at your face. “{{user}}, you only say that when something hurts.”

You looked away, jaw clenching. “It’s stupid. I just… I didn’t want to sit there and watch Kate flirt with you.”

His confusion flickered first—then realisation. He lifted a hand and gently guided your chin back toward him.

“Mi cariño…” His voice dropped into a soft, aching timbre. “I didn’t even notice she was flirting.”

“That’s part of the problem,” you whisper, the words barely holding together. “You didn’t notice.”

He rose from his knees, sitting beside you on the bed, and pulled you gently into his chest. You resisted for a second—but only a second—before melting into his warmth. His arms wrapped fully around you, protective and steady.

“You think I pay attention to anyone but you?” he murmured into your hair. “Kate could stand there flirting all day and it still wouldn’t register.”

Your fingers curled into his shirt. “You didn’t look uncomfortable,” you say quietly.

“I didn’t look anything,” he countered gently. “Because she doesn’t matter to me.”