Hannah sat on the bed, her leg bouncing nervously as her gaze drifted to the wall above Bella's side of the room. Dozens of posters of handsome idols stared back at her, but their perfect smiles held no meaning tonight. Her thoughts lingered on Jin's words, replaying them over and over until they pressed like weights against her chest.
Could something truly terrible have happened more than three years ago—something so horrific that her mind had erased it entirely?
The realization struck her like a cold blade: this was not ordinary forgetfulness. It was a temporary lapse, the kind born of trauma. She had read about such cases—people locked memories away when shock became unbearable, when the soul chose oblivion over madness.
But what had she witnessed? What had her eyes seen that they refused to recall?
She pressed her hands to her face and let out a heavy sigh. Out of the corner of her eye, movement caught her attention—Bella stepping into the room in her finest clothes. Hannah blinked rapidly, startled at the transformation. Her roommate looked radiant, almost unrecognizable.
"Wow, you really put yourself together," Hannah said with genuine admiration as Bella twirled on her heel, making her skirt flare out.
"And so will you," Bella replied with playful authority. "We're roommates, and tonight we're going to be the prettiest ones in the room."
"I don't like to go overboard with outfits just for a party," Hannah muttered, her voice betraying her reluctance.
Bella clasped her hands in mock supplication. "Please. You don't know how long it'll be before another night like this comes along. Let's make the most of it. You need to look stunning—so stunning the guys will drop like flies at your feet."
She rummaged through the closet and pulled out a white, form-fitting dress that stopped mid-thigh. Hannah had bought it impulsively over the summer, enchanted by how perfect it looked on the mannequin. Yet it still hung unworn; every time she imagined herself in it, she thought she looked too provocative.
"See? This is sensational," Bella declared, holding it up against her. "With your dark hair and bold lipstick, you'll bring the house down."
Hannah shifted uncomfortably. "I'm bold, yes, but I don't like drawing too much attention to myself."
"Almost everyone from the dorm is going to this party. Do you think you'll be the only one dressed up?" Bella rolled her eyes dramatically. "A moment ago, I passed the freshmen in the corridor. In this dress, you'll look like a classy woman. They, on the other hand, looked like—well—juvenile sluts."
Hannah raised her brows in surprise, unsettled by Bella's sharp words. She had never heard her roommate speak so harshly.
"But I'm definitely not wearing heels," Hannah said firmly, throwing her hands up in defense.
"Fine," Bella conceded. "I won't force you. You'll be dancing all night anyway. My heels are thick enough that I'll survive. But you—" she tossed the dress at Hannah and waggled her brows—"you're going to look incredible. I can't wait to see his reaction."
"Hey! Why are you talking about him?" Hannah's cheeks warmed.
Bella smirked knowingly. "I'm not stupid. I see the way he looks at you. Apparently, you're the blind one if you don't."
*
Hannah looked around the crowded club, the pulse of the music vibrating through the leather couch beneath her. Half the room seemed filled with students eager to drown themselves in glitter and noise. Girls in daringly short dresses and sequined tops twirled on the dance floor, laughing too loudly, swaying too freely. For the first time that night, Hannah felt her doubts about her own dress dissolve. Among them, she was not overdressed—she was, in fact, the most elegant.
Bella swooped in, phone already raised, insisting on a picture. She pressed close to Hannah, snapped the shot, and uploaded it instantly, her grin radiant as she tapped out a caption. Within seconds, her friends online would know exactly how dazzling the night was meant to be.
"Drinks for the most beautiful girls in the club," Max declared, setting two glasses on the table with a flourish before dropping onto the couch beside Hannah. "Here, no one checks IDs. No worries."
"I have to thank you, but I don't drink," Hannah replied with quiet finality. "My health doesn't allow it."
Disappointment flickered across his face. "Then perhaps water, my goddess?"
Hannah gave a short, stifled laugh—half disbelief, half irritation. There was nothing truly wrong with Max, yet something in his exaggerated charm grated on her nerves. He wanted so desperately to appear effortless, but it rang hollow, and she could see right through him.
"Max, let it go," Bella cut in sharply. "You don't want trouble with Joseph, do you?"
The words struck their mark. Max froze, then visibly recoiled as his eyes landed on the tall figure approaching with his roommates. Joseph strode toward the couch with an easy but commanding gait, Jin and Tom following close behind.
"It was nice, but I think I'll… go make some new friends," Max stammered, starting to rise.
Joseph lifted a single finger, beckoning him back with an expression that left no room for defiance. "Sit down."
Max obeyed, sinking into the cushions as Joseph slid into place beside him. The older student picked up the glass, sniffing the contents with slow deliberation.
"You gave her alcohol without asking first?" His tone was calm, almost lazy, but the softness made it sharper, more dangerous.
Max swallowed hard, his eyes darting to Jin and Tom. "I just wanted to be pleasant. I didn't mean anything bad."
"Pleasant?" Joseph repeated with a mocking smile. "What did I tell you last time in the cafeteria?"
"That… that I should stay away," Max muttered, his hands trembling.
"Exactly. So what now? You disregard my words?"
"No. Sorry. I promise not to go near her again."
The boy's voice shook, and Hannah had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing. Joseph was clearly toying with him, savoring his discomfort. Max had become prey in a game where resistance was impossible.
"Give him a break," Hannah interjected, her voice sharp. "You're acting like a high school kid."
Tom, meanwhile, had fixed his attention on Bella. She sat hunched over her phone, scrolling mindlessly through her feed until she finally looked up and felt the weight of his gaze.
"Isn't that hair color too light?" he asked out of nowhere, his tone laced with teasing.
Bella's lips parted, but no sound came out.
"Tom, what are you even saying?" Jin broke in, his voice amused as he leaned forward on his elbows. "Don't mind him," he assured her, his eyes warm with mischief. "That's just his idea of making friends. He's called an alien for a reason."
"It's true," Hannah said, seizing the chance to steer the conversation away from Joseph and Max. "Do you know the first thing he ever said to me in high school? He shouted, 'my handle from Adams!'"
Bella frowned, utterly lost. "The handle from Adams?" she repeated, glancing at Tom with raised brows.
"And what's so funny about that?" Tom muttered, his lips pursed in irritation. "I'm curious how she ended up under the bed, where apparently someone was playing with the boarding school caretaker." His eyes flicked to Joseph, though Bella ignored the jab entirely.
Hannah coughed awkwardly, desperate to break the tension, but Joseph seemed not to notice.
"I'll get the drinks," Jin announced suddenly, rising to his feet. "Hannah, what do you want?"
"Just water with lemon," she replied.
He nodded and disappeared into the crowd, leaving a faint emptiness at her side. Hannah turned toward Tom, who still wore the faint shadow of a scowl.
She reached out and poked his arm playfully, her lips curling into a smile. "Are you angry with me?" She tilted her chin onto his shoulder, feigning charm to coax him. "You've really started to grow up. Before, you couldn't even stay mad at me—you were too busy laughing at yourself."
"I told you," Tom said flatly, his voice edged with something harder than she remembered. "I'm not the same as I was in high school. I'm not making a fool of myself anymore."
At that moment, Joseph's eyes narrowed. He had caught Max staring at Hannah's bare legs, too much of her exposed by the way she sat in the short dress. Without a word, Joseph shrugged off his navy-blue jacket and draped it over her thighs.
"If you're going to dress like this," he said coldly, "then at least act like a classy woman."
Bella's eyes widened in surprise, her hands flying to her mouth. "That's… actually kind of sweet," she whispered, utterly charmed by the gesture.
Hannah stared at him, her brows furrowed. "Are you playing big brother again?" she asked, her tone sharp with defiance.
Joseph glanced at her briefly, his eyes flashing with restrained anger before looking away. Hannah's pulse quickened. Bella's earlier words echoed in her mind—her insistence that Joseph's concern was something deeper than simple protectiveness.
And now, Hannah wasn't so sure Bella was wrong.
*
Hannah swept her hair back from her damp forehead, brushing it away with a weary hand. Her legs felt heavy, her chest rising and falling too quickly — she no longer had the strength to keep up with the music. Leaning toward Bella, she whispered that she needed a break. But she had chosen the worst possible moment. Tom appeared, stepping into her path with a grin that left her no room to escape.
"Don't tell me you're giving up already," he teased, catching her hand before she could move away.
"I need to rest," she replied firmly, but he tugged her closer, pulling her against his chest with easy strength.
"One song," he bargained softly, "and then you're free."
The brunette gave him a faint smile, finally nodding. Reluctantly, she swayed to the rhythm at his side, but her eyes wandered past him, searching the table where Joseph still sat with Jin. They were deep in conversation, their heads inclined toward one another, though every so often their gazes flicked in her direction. The sight unsettled her.
Jin's expression shifted suddenly as he drew his phone from his pocket. His brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a hard line — whoever was calling him, he clearly did not wish to answer. Yet after a long moment of hesitation, he rose from the table and slipped away toward the bathrooms.
The song ended. Tom immediately turned his attention to Bella, leaning close to whisper something in her ear. With a surprised laugh, she allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor. Seizing her chance, Hannah darted away, her heart pounding as she made for the hallway.
She wasn't stupid. Something was wrong with Jin. She had seen it every day since their reunion — the worry darkening his eyes, the tension he carried in his shoulders. In high school he had been different: skilled at masking his feelings, quick with a smile, convincing the world that everything was fine. Now, though, the cracks were showing.
What had changed?
She stopped outside the men's bathroom, ignoring the indignant stares from the boys who passed. Peering inside, she found it empty — except for the faint sound of a voice. He must have hidden himself away in one of the stalls.
Her suspicion was confirmed when his low tone carried out from behind the door.
"I don't like it. The danger may have passed, but it's still too soon. Wait a little longer."
Hannah's brows knitted in confusion, her breath caught in her throat.
One boy moved to complain about her presence, but she pressed a finger to her lips, whispering desperately, "My fiancé is in there. I think he's cheating on me. Just a moment, please…"
The boy only shook his head in disbelief and walked away, leaving her pressed against the wall, straining to hear.
Jin's voice continued, edged with frustration.
"So what if she's dead? Everyone around you was deceived, and if this gets out, the scandal will be worse. Don't make things more complicated. You have to wait. I've already buried myself in enough trouble because of you. I'll be hated for this. Do you understand? In your entire life, you'll never be able to repay what I did for you. If it weren't for my connections… things would have ended very differently."
The line went silent. Hannah's pulse hammered in her ears. None of it made sense — the words were fragments of a puzzle that only deepened her unease.
She turned quickly to leave, but nearly collided with a solid chest. Lifting her head in alarm, she found Joseph standing before her, his sharp gaze pinning her in place. Behind him, the stall door creaked open, and Jin emerged with the phone still in hand.
Panic sparked in her veins. Without thinking, she seized Joseph's hand and dragged him down the hallway, away from prying eyes.
"You and Jin have been acting strange lately," he accused, folding his arms across his chest. "What's going on?"
"He's hiding something from me," she added quickly when Joseph arched a brow. "I know it has to do with my sister."
Joseph tilted his head, studying her with unreadable calm. "Secrets tied to your family?" His lips curled faintly. "How sweet that Jin is involved too."
"Too?" Hannah narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by that? You know something, don't you?"
"Would you be happy," Joseph asked quietly, "if you had a brother?"
Her confusion deepened. "Are you saying Jin is my foster brother?"
Joseph exhaled sharply through his nose but said nothing.
"Wait… do you know something else? Do you know someone else connected to my family?"
"You're jumping ahead again," he replied smoothly, his expression unreadable. "Drawing conclusions out of thin air. I was only curious, that's all. I'm not interested in your family. You're complicated enough already."
He chuckled at her baffled expression, but the sound died abruptly as his gaze drifted over her shoulder. At first, he thought the sight was a trick of the alcohol — the silhouette of a woman framed by the flashing lights of the club. But when the figure drew closer and her face came into focus, Joseph's heart lurched violently against his ribs.
Hannah turned as well, her eyes widening at the model-like girl whose presence seemed to draw every gaze in the room. Even in her elegant dress, Hannah felt instantly diminished in comparison.
The name echoed in her memory, sharp and undeniable. Halsey.
Joseph's first love. The girl who had once torn his world apart, the reason he had lashed out at his classmates in cruel revenge, convinced that they were responsible for her departure from school.
The only person who had ever managed to steal the devil's heart.
Joseph swallowed hard, his chest burning, his voice raw with disbelief as he whispered her name.
"Halsey…"
And when she smiled softly at the sight of him, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear, Joseph knew he was not hallucinating. She was real. She was here. And the past he had buried so carefully had just stepped back into his life.