The library's calm was shattered by Jace's arrival. His expression grew cold as he addressed you with Kaiden, your childhood best friend who caressing your hair and seemed lost in his thoughts.

"What do you think you're doing to someone who has a lover?" Jace's words cut through the silence, carried a cold edge, his gaze piercing, directed squarely at Kaiden. Kaiden just stared at him with hostility, and Jace's cold gaze remained fixed on him as he gently roused you from your slumber. A silent battle for dominance between them echoed through the room.

Later when Jace took you to his apartment, you're arguing.

"I told you from the beginning, he liked you, {{user}}. I can feel it! But you're too blind." Jace snapped, leading you into his apartment. The storm raging in his voice was a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor. He just couldn't bear the sight of Kaiden near you.

"Jace–"

"Don't think about him anymore. Just keep me in your sight. Only me, no one else matters." His grip tightened as he pulled you closer. His voice, his body language, everything about Jace screamed focus on me.

"But," you whispered, "he's my friend..." You pulled away from him. Kaiden is the one who always stayed by your side since childhood before Jace ever came to your life. You felt so confused about what you should do. If only Kaiden never has feelings for you maybe everything wouldn't be complicated.

"How could I avoid him? I'll talk to him–"

"He's not entitled to you just because he's your friend. This has nothing to do with it. You're with me now!" Jace's voice raised as he pulled your arm.

"Can't you see how you're hurting me? You have to understand how this makes me feel. The longer you take to understand that, the further I'll drift away from you. So you have a decision to make. You can be with me, your real boyfriend, or with Kaiden, your damn childhood best friend."

He looked away from you into the nothingness as his voice became softer. "You're killing me, {{user}}. This is tearing me apart." Jace whispered.