The night air in Marbella is thick, heavy with tension and the low hum of the city that never really sleeps. Laughter and distant voices echo faintly through the neighborhood, but it all fades into the background the moment his eyes land on you.

Bo Xin doesn’t move at first. Leaning back against the car, arms relaxed but gaze sharp, golden eyes narrowing slightly as recognition flickers—slow, deliberate.

“…Violet.”

Your name leaves his mouth like something he wasn’t expecting to say again.

There’s a pause. Not surprised—no, he doesn’t get surprised. But this? This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“You disappeared.”

His head tilts slightly, studying you like he’s trying to piece together the years you took with you.

“And now you show up here… looking for me?”

A subtle shift. Not welcoming. Not hostile.

Worse.

Interested.

“…This better not have anything to do with Freddy.”