Two pages of the same book

Rose was finally discharged from the hospital. The air felt lighter, but her heart remained heavy. She walked beside Jessie in silence, her fingers brushing against the hospital wristband that still clung to her wrist like a ghost of everything she wanted to forget.

Jessie looked at her, hesitant but unable to hold back the burning question. "Rose, what happened between you and Kalix? Did he cheat? Did he say something?"

Rose simply shook her head, eyes focused ahead, not daring to let the words slip from her lips. Her silence said more than she could.

"I don’t know what happened exactly," Rose finally whispered, "But I know I can’t go back with him. Not yet. I need time. I want to go to South Korea with you instead. Please."

Jessie stopped in her tracks. "You’re serious?"

Rose nodded slowly, a pleading look in her eyes.

Jessie sighed. "It was his birthday yesterday, Rose. Imagine how he felt, all alone, thinking he lost you."

The words stabbed Rose. She swallowed hard but didn’t respond. Jessie didn’t wait this time. She grabbed Rose’s hand. "That’s it. Come with me."

"Where are we going?" Rose asked.

"To face him."

They walked through the quiet hallways of the dormitory until they reached a corner of the floor. There sat Kalix, hunched over, trembling slightly, staring blankly at his phone screen. He looked wrecked—dark circles under his eyes, hair messy, knees pulled to his chest.

When he looked up and saw Rose, his entire face lit up. A spark of life returned to his eyes. He stood quickly, took a step forward as if to hug her, but froze. Remembering her cold words, her distance, he slowly lowered his arms.

Instead, he turned his phone screen toward them.

A video played.

It was the video where kalix and evelyn kissed..
“Why are you showing this again?” Rose snapped, irritation bubbling in her voice. “We already—”

“Just watch,” Kalix said quietly, eyes pleading.

The video continued. But this time, it didn’t cut off where it usually did.

It kept rolling.

The scene showed Evelyn suddenly stepping toward Kalix, clearly tipsy. Without warning, she leaned in and kissed him. A bold, sudden move.

Jessie gasped. “That’s Evelyn...!”

But then the truth came.

Kalix immediately pulled back, his expression fierce. “Stay on your boundaries! F*ck you, Evelyn! I don’t like you—and I never will! I have a girlfriend. And I love her.”

The video ended.

Rose stood frozen. Her lips parted slightly as her mind processed everything. Evelyn kissed him—Kalix didn’t want it. He rejected her, loudly and clearly. And more than that… he said he loved her.

Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up at Kalix, who was still watching her like she was a ticking bomb. Like one wrong word from her could either save or ruin him.

Rose’s eyes filled with tears—this time, from relief. Without thinking, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Kalix didn’t hesitate. He buried his face into her shoulder, his arms trembling as he held her like the world depended on it.

“I love you,” Kalix whispered, voice cracking. “I was so scared I lost you…”

“I’m so sorry,” Rose murmured, her voice thick. “I didn’t even let you explain. I was hurting so bad…”

“I didn’t know how to tell you,” he said softly. “I felt so guilty, even though I didn’t kiss her. It just... I thought you'd hate me.”

Rose pulled back to look at him, her eyes searching his. “You should’ve told me, Kalix. But I should’ve asked. We both messed up.”

He nodded. “So let’s promise not to do that again. No more hiding. No more assumptions.”

Rose smiled through her tears. “We talk. Every time. No matter what.”

“Deal.” Kalix held out his pinky with a tiny smile.

She wrapped hers around his. “Deal.”

They stayed like that for a long moment—foreheads touching, hearts finally syncing.

Jessie, standing nearby, was silent. She let out a deep breath, eyes wide. “Well… turns out Evelyn really is the villain of the season.”

Rose laughed weakly, still holding Kalix. “She tried to ruin everything. And almost succeeded.”

Kalix kissed the top of her head gently. “But she didn’t.”

Jessie cleared her throat. “Anyway… I think I’ll go get us coffee. And maybe bleach my eyes.”

She left the room, leaving them alone again.

Rose looked up at Kalix. “Happy late birthday, by the way.”

He chuckled, finally at ease. “This is the only gift I wanted.”

Sometimes, the truth doesn’t scream—it waits in silence, behind pain, guilt, and everything left unsaid. But when it finally surfaces, it either shatters what’s left… or heals what’s broken.