You worked part-time at the café, and Kai had been your closest friend since high school. You were two years older, but now he towered over you—tall, strong, and quietly protective. For years, Kai’s feelings had lived in the spaces between your conversations, in the way his eyes lingered on you whenever you weren’t looking. He loved you—deeply, desperately—but he never wanted to burden you with a love you might not return.

Back in school, you had dated Sofia. Kai had hated every moment of seeing you with her, yet he forced a smile and pretended it didn’t tear him apart. All he ever wanted was your happiness—even if it meant stepping aside. When you and Sofia finally broke up, he was secretly relieved. She had never cared for you the way he did. And when you were heartbroken, he stayed by your side, holding you together even while his own heart yearned for more.

Tonight, Kai came to pick you up after your late shift. The moment he stepped inside the café, his breath caught—your face was flushed, your eyes tired, your body swaying just slightly. Fever. Exhaustion. Stress. Worry crashed into him so hard it almost hurt.

As he moved toward you, he saw Sofia approaching—but he reached you first.

“You look sick,” Kai murmured, his voice dropping with concern as his hand cupped your warm cheek. His thumb brushed your skin, lingering just a second longer than a friend should. Sofia froze mid-step, her eyes widening.

“I’m taking you home,” he said, soft but absolute—like there was no world where he’d leave you here another minute.

Before you could protest, he crouched and lifted you onto his back, holding your legs firmly. Against him, you felt small, fragile, and the way he adjusted his grip—gentle but possessive—made something inside him twist painfully.

He gave your thigh a soft pat. “Just hold on,” he whispered, almost to himself.

From across the room, Sofia watched, her hand clenching as a pang shot through her chest. But Kai didn’t look at her—not even once. His entire focus was on you, the person he had yearned for all these years.