I didn't mean for it to happen in public.
That part was an accident.
The café was loud. Too loud. Conversations overlapping, cups clinking, people pretending not to stare while absolutely staring. Cassian was already there when I walked in, leaning back in his chair like he owned the space.
And Jude was standing by the counter.
The timing was brutal.
Cassian saw him first. Then he saw me. The look on his face sharpened instantly, amusement slipping into something colder.
"Well," he said, standing. "This feels overdue."
Jude turned slowly.
The air between the three of us tightened so fast it felt physical.
"I'm not doing this here," I said.
Cassian's gaze flicked to me. "You already are."
Jude crossed his arms. "I didn't come for you."
Cassian smiled without warmth. "Funny. I feel very included."
People nearby had gone quiet. Not enough to be obvious. Enough to be dangerous.
"Stop," I said. "Both of you."
Neither listened.
"You like things undefined," Jude said to Cassian, voice flat. "Gives you room to walk away clean."
Cassian stepped closer. "And you like ultimatums. Makes you feel chosen."
Jude's jaw tightened. "I asked for honesty."
"And I offered freedom," Cassian shot back. "If she wanted cages, she'd still be with you."
That did it.
I stepped between them.
"You don't get to talk about me," I snapped. "Not like I'm a prize you're negotiating over."
Cassian's eyes flicked to me. "Then tell him."
Jude's gaze locked onto mine. "Tell me."
The room felt too small. My pulse roared in my ears.
"I'm not choosing," I said clearly. "And I'm done apologizing for that."
Jude let out a sharp laugh. "So you want us both orbiting you indefinitely?"
"No," I said. "I want you to decide what you can live with. Without forcing me into something I'm not ready for."
Cassian tilted his head. "And if one of us can't?"
"Then you leave," I said. "Not because you lost. Because you chose yourself."
Silence.
Jude stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time.
"That's cruel," he said quietly.
"Maybe," I replied. "But it's honest."
Cassian exhaled slowly. "You really are serious."
"Yes."
He studied my face. Then smiled, sharp and unreadable. "Good. I hate halfway truths."
Jude shook his head. "You think this ends well?"
"I think," I said, voice steady even as my chest burned, "it ends real."
Jude took a step back.
Then another.
"This isn't over," he said. "But I won't beg."
"I wouldn't respect you if you did," I answered.
He left without another word.
Cassian watched him go. Then turned to me.
"You just detonated the room," he said softly.
"I know."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "And you didn't flinch once."
I met his gaze. "Don't mistake that for certainty."
He smiled faintly. "I won't."
Outside, the town buzzed like it had sensed blood in the water.
Lines had been drawn.
And for the first time, both of them knew exactly where I stood.