Chapter 11: Confrontation
“Take this one,” Noah said. “I bought it for you in the first place.”
He withdrew his hand from where it had brushed against Lila’s on the shelf and took a small step back, that familiar, mild smile settling on his face almost by instinct.
Thinking back, at times like this in the past he would have already prepared the drink and handed it to her himself, attentive to the point of self-erasure, never leaving her to deal with it alone. That kind of care had once felt natural, almost expected.
Now that they had broken up, there were many things Lila would have to handle on her own. To Noah, that didn’t seem like a bad thing. He wouldn’t be with her forever. She needed to learn how to take care of herself.
“And the other one?” she asked, eyes fixed on the hand he was half-hiding, as if she had caught him in something he wasn’t supposed to have.
“I’m buying that for my sister.”
He didn’t try to hide it. He lifted the second package openly, and in that moment the small, stubborn hope she’d been clinging to shattered. The idea that he still cared enough to keep things from her dissolved instantly.
She wasn’t ready to give up. “For Evelyn… Are you going to make it for her too?”
“Of course. As for you, you can—”
Before he could finish, a cool, flat voice cut in behind him.
“Noah. We’re leaving.”
He didn’t even have time to respond. A cold hand closed around his wrist and pulled him firmly toward the register. He glanced back at Lila, lifted his hand in a brief, apologetic wave, and gave her a small, helpless smile.
Only when they were paying did Evelyn release him. He followed her through the checkout and bought the brown sugar.
Outside the store, she said nothing. He walked beside her in silence. When they reached the dorm building, he finally spoke, quietly. “Sis… I’ll head back up now.”
“No,” Evelyn said without turning around. “You’re coming with me.”
It wasn’t a suggestion. There was no room for choice. Noah hesitated only a second before following her toward the faculty housing.
At the door, she unlocked it and stepped aside, motioning for him to go in first.
He walked inside, curious. The door shut behind him with a sharp click as the lock slid into place.
The curtains were drawn tight. Once the door closed, the last trace of light vanished, leaving the room dim and heavy, like a sealed cell.
“It’s really dark in here,” Noah said, turning around. “Why do you keep it so—”
He stopped.
Evelyn’s expression was cold, severe. Her gaze pinned him in place, sharp and unyielding.
“What were you saying to her just now?”
A few loose strands of hair shadowed her face, and in the low light he didn’t immediately register how wrong something felt. He answered honestly, a little confused. “Lila? I was going to buy brown sugar for her, but she showed up herself.”
“You still care that much about her,” Evelyn said. “You’re already broken up. What exactly are you trying to do?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?” He frowned slightly. “Sis… what’s going on?”
She stepped closer, forcing him back until his shoulders hit the wall. Cold, slender hands came up to cradle his face, tilting his head so he had no choice but to look at her.
It was the first time Noah had ever seen that look in her eyes.
Dark, deep, filled with something obsessive and feral, threaded with a violence that made his breath catch. For a split second he wondered if he was imagining it, if the shadows were playing tricks on him.
He couldn’t believe Evelyn would ever look at him like that.
She smiled, sharp and unsettling, her voice low and sweet all at once. “Noah, tell me. Do you still like her?”
He swallowed, his throat tight. “No… I don’t.” He lifted the bag of brown sugar toward her. “I even bought one for you. I was going to make it for you too.”
Evelyn looked down at the dark red grains through the plastic. The chill in her eyes slowly thawed, warmth returning like spring sunlight.
“You didn’t just grab it for me on the side, did you?”
“No,” he said quickly. “I meant to buy it for you from the start. I just happened to think of Lila.”
“So good,” she murmured, gently pinching his cheek. “But Noah… don’t call her so affectionately anymore. Your sister gets jealous.”
“I’ve always called her that,” he said without thinking. “If you want, I can call you that too. Evelyn.”
The sharp knock against the top of his head came instantly, reminding him how important names were to her.
“Watch your manners,” she said coolly. “Say it again and I’ll really punish you.”
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry.” He rubbed his head, wincing. “That actually hurt. I’ll just leave this here then… I’m heading back.”
“Go on,” she said lightly. “Off you go.”
…
Noah stopped by the cafeteria first and picked up a few buns. When he got back to the dorm, his three roommates were still sprawled across chairs and beds. He set the food down and called out, “Brought breakfast. Get up and eat.”
They immediately perked up.
“Man, Noah’s the best.”
“No wonder he’s Professor Miller’s brother. Always taking care of people.”
“Noah, honorary dad for the day.”
He shook his head. “Eat first. I’ve got a question.”
They looked over while chewing. He took a sip of water, then asked seriously, “I want to get my sister a gift. What should I buy?”
“For Professor Miller? What brought this on?”
“Tomorrow’s Teachers’ Day. She’s taken such good care of me. I should give her something.”
Caleb nodded thoughtfully, dragging a chair closer and clapping Noah on the shoulder. “Alright. Gifts for women take some thought. You can’t be careless.”
“Go on, master.”
“Well, she’s your sister, and your teacher, and she treats you so well. Basically half your mom at this point. You wouldn’t be wrong to spend a bit more.”
“Okay… then?”
“Then get her a diamond ring. Take it to the next level.”
Noah stared at him like he was insane.
Caleb laughed awkwardly. “Kidding. Kidding. Just get her flowers. Add a card. That’s safe.”
“It’s not just because she’s a teacher…”
“Then do this. Meet me at the campus gate tonight. I’ll have a girl go with you. Girls know what girls like.”
“Is that really okay?” Noah hesitated. “You’re not calling Lila, are you?”
“Relax. Definitely not her.” Caleb thumped his chest. “Just hang out. She’ll go with you.”
Noah wasn’t fully convinced, but figured he could always pick something himself if it felt wrong.
That evening, when he reached the campus gate, there really was a girl waiting.
She was dressed neatly, a beige knit top and pleated skirt, carrying a hint of the same gentle style Evelyn favored, though her presence was lighter, more openly youthful.
“Good evening, Noah.”
He recognized her. Su Nora. A classmate, and the study rep their advisor had personally appointed. Bright, outgoing.
“Hey. Evening.”
“Caleb told me everything,” she said easily. “Let’s head to the street outside. We can check the accessory shops and clothing stores.”
“Thanks for helping,” Noah said. “I appreciate it.”
She smiled. “No problem. Let’s go.”
—
During his first semester at Rowan University, back when Noah and Lila hadn’t gone public yet, he was the kind of boy people noticed without trying to be noticed. Clean-cut, sunlit smile, the easy kind of handsome that felt harmless. It was only natural that other girls quietly developed feelings for him.
Nora was outgoing, quick with words, bold about what she wanted. A few conversations were enough for curiosity to turn into interest, and interest into something she wanted to explore further. She added Caleb for that very reason. Unfortunately, the guys in Noah’s dorm already knew about him and Lila, and once Caleb let it slip, that small crush faded without ceremony.
Later, when news of Noah and Lila’s breakup spread through the usual campus gossip, Nora’s attention drifted back. Freshman year had pulled her focus toward grades, and she hadn’t interacted much with guys. Now, with the timing different, the thought returned.
Caleb had no idea what Evelyn was really like. To him, she was still the gentle, composed instructor from psychology class. Helping Nora didn’t seem like a big deal.
Rowan at night glowed under neon and storefront lights, busy and unreal in that way cities can feel after dark. Nora moved confidently from one boutique jewelry store to another, helping Noah choose something, though her intentions clearly stretched beyond the bracelet in question.
He, meanwhile, focused entirely on the gift. Anything unrelated earned polite, brief responses. She had dressed carefully, light makeup, a new outfit, subtle effort in every detail, yet he barely seemed to notice.
Back at the campus gates, Noah tucked the small gift box into his pocket and thanked her sincerely, distant but courteous, nothing that could be mistaken for flirtation.
Before leaving, Nora hesitated.
“Hey… Noah. What exactly is your relationship with Professor Miller?”
“She’s my sister. You all know that.”
“Just… that?”
“What else would it be?” He didn’t want speculation. At school, she was faculty. Anything unclear would only complicate things. “She’s our instructor. That’s it.”
“Oh. Okay. Goodnight.”
“Night.”
He waved, turned—
—and saw her.
Evelyn stood a few steps behind him.
His heartbeat stuttered. His legs felt unsteady.
“Hey… good evening.”
“Out on a date?” Her voice was cold, edged with mockery.
“No. Of course not. I just… had something to handle.”
“Right. Something. Alone. At night. With a girl.”
“It’s not like that. Don’t assume things.”
Her gaze slid over his face like a blade drawn slowly across skin. She said nothing more, just turned and walked away.
He remained frozen.
“Are you coming,” she said without looking back, “or would you rather stay out here and get disciplined in public?”
“I’m coming.”
He hurried after her, forcing a small, placating smile. “Are you mad?”
“You should think carefully about how you explain yourself,” she replied evenly. “Before I lose control.”
No “Nate.” No softness. No warmth in her voice.
He could barely remember times she had sounded like this. Once this morning. Now again tonight. It felt like standing too close to something dangerous and only just realizing it had teeth.
He followed her into the faculty housing building. Inside the apartment, the door clicked shut behind them. The curtains were already drawn. The room felt dim, almost airless.
He swallowed, trying to gather words—
—but before he could speak, she shoved him back.
He fell against the couch, and she was on him in an instant, straddling, one hand gripping the back of his neck, holding him in place.
“Evelyn—”
Her teeth sank into the side of his shoulder and neck, not playful, not restrained. The pressure increased, deliberate, punishing. Pain flared sharp and hot, stealing his breath.
“That hurts,” he gasped.
“You think this is something you smooth over with a joke?” Her voice was low, icy. “Noah. I’m angry.”
She had never said his full name like that.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it mattered that much.”
“Right now, I only want the truth.”
“It is the truth. Nora was helping me pick something. That’s all.”
Her body still pinned him down, one hand sliding to his throat, not choking fully but tight enough to remind him she could.
“I hate being lied to,” she said quietly. “And I hate being ignored.”
“I’m not lying.” His voice shook despite himself. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the small black box. “I asked her to help because tomorrow’s Teacher Appreciation Day. I wanted to get you something.”
The room went still.
Her grip loosened. The tension drained from her posture slowly, like a tide receding.
“For me?”
“Yes. Open it.”
She sat back, opening the box. Inside lay a delicate silver bracelet set with small diamonds, intricate but understated.
“So you can replace the old one you always wear,” he said carefully.
“You didn’t do anything else?”
“No. You don’t trust me?”
She studied him for a long moment, then brushed her fingers over the fresh bite mark she’d left on his skin.
“No matter the reason,” she said softly, “I don’t want this happening again. If you have to see another girl, you tell me first.”
“You mean being out alone like that?”
“I mean any girl.”
She stood, removing her coat. Beneath it, a thin nightdress, sheer enough that the lines of her body were visible in the low light.
“Why were you outside?” he asked quietly.
“Ran out of paper towels. I threw on a coat and went to the store. That’s when I saw you.”
She glanced down at the bracelet again, smiling now, warm and composed as if the earlier fury had been a passing storm.
“I like it,” she said. “But I’m greedy.”
“For what?”
“Stay tonight,” she replied. “It’s not like you can walk back in there looking like that.”
