The next morning, Ethan barely made it through his breakfast before his phone buzzed with a dozen notifications.
A blurry photo was circulating across campus group chats—he and Claire, under the tree in the physics courtyard, her head tilted toward him, their hands joined.
The caption read: Ice Queen's fiancé? Or childhood sweetheart reboot?
Claire texted first.
Claire: I'm so sorry. I didn't think anyone was around.
Ethan stared at the image. It wasn't scandalous. But it was enough to ignite every rumor engine on campus.
Logan followed seconds later.
Logan: Dude. This is trending harder than your engagement announcement.
His stomach sank. Not because of the photo—but because of who would definitely see it.
—
Isabella found Claire between lectures. No words. Just cool eyes and a phone screen held out like evidence.
Claire blinked. "You've seen it."
Isabella lowered the phone slowly. "You're close with him. That's your business. But when it becomes everyone's business, it drags us all into the noise."
"We weren't trying to make a scene," Claire said. "It was personal. We were just talking."
"And yet now it's public. The headlines don't care about context."
Claire frowned. "Why do you care so much? It's not like the engagement benefits Ethan at all. You're the one who gets a clean PR story."
Isabella's gaze cooled further. "It's a strategic arrangement—nothing more. But even strategies collapse if the parts stop functioning."
Claire crossed her arms. "So he's just a part to you?"
Isabella didn't flinch. "He agreed to this. That means something—regardless of emotion."
Ethan arrived just in time to catch the tail end.
Isabella turned to him. "Whatever you do outside the arrangement is yours. But keep it from becoming mine."
Ethan felt the tension rise—but Iron Will steadied him.
"Claire and I are friends. And I didn't sign up to be your liability buffer."
Isabella regarded him for a long second. Then, to Claire, "People already think you two belong together. This just gives them a story to chase. Whether you meant to or not—you've stirred the pot."
Before either could respond, a system shimmer passed behind Ethan's vision.
[Milestone Event: Social Fallout from Emotional Exposure]
[Skill Draw Available. Choose one:]
[Skill 1] Optics Control (Uncommon)
Helps you manage the narrative others construct about you, especially in public or online settings.
[Skill 2] Passive Redirect (Common)
You naturally shift attention away from yourself in conversations and social environments.
[Skill 3] Emotional Buffer (Uncommon)
Reduces the emotional impact of conflicts on yourself and others involved.
Ethan's jaw clenched. Optics mattered now—more than ever.
[Skill Acquired: Optics Control (Uncommon) — Helps you manage the narrative others construct about you, especially in public or online settings.]
Isabella turned and walked away. Claire stood beside him, silent.
And for the first time, Ethan realized just how thin the line was between personal and public when everyone had something to say.
—
That night, a formal invitation was slipped under Ethan's dorm door. Gilt edges. Wynn family crest.
A dinner. Tomorrow. Attendance required.
Ethan turned the card over in his hands slowly, expression unreadable.. "Feels like a chess move."
He didn't say it aloud, but the sinking feeling in his chest was clear: Isabella's parents were pulling strings again.
And this time, Ethan had no idea what they expected him to play.