(Sierra's POV)
I didn't look at Stefano all morning. Not because I hated him. Not because I was angry. …but because I was tired.
Tired of the push and pull. Tired of his soft moments that became cold just the very second afterwards. Tired of his unnecessary insults, when he didn't even know what he had done wrong.
And so, when I walked past the dining table, I didn't glance at him. Not once. I greeted Nicolas softly. Smiled weakly at Mom. Pulled Sebastian's sleeve gently when he asked if I slept well.
But Stefano? Nothing. Just silence. I felt his stare burning on my back as I left for college, but I didn't turn around. Let that asshole staring at my ass.
(Stefano's POV)
She ignored me. She ignored me. The girl who would always flinch at the sound of my voice, who always spoke softly even when she was angry, who looked at me as if reading the sharp storms that brewed behind his eyes… just walked past him as if I didn't exist. It shouldn't matter. It absolutely shouldn't.
Yet the moment Sierra stepped outside without acknowledging me , something inside of me twisted sharply—like a rope pulled too tight.
"Dude… you're gripping the mug too hard," Arko muttered. I set it down instantly, clenching my jaw.
"I don't care," I said.
But even that didn't help, because my mind kept replaying the way Sierra brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and refused to so much as look in my direction.
This irritated me. More than it should be. And irritation meant loss of control. And loss of control was the one thing Stefano Blackwood despised.
(Sierra's POV)
Rumors still whispered behind me. The humiliation that Luciana started hadn't died yet. Some students looked at me with petty amusement; some looked with jealousy. But I walk forward with her head high. Angel slipped her arm around me .
"Don't listen to them, babe."
"I'm trying," I whispere.
Marko jogged up to them, his messy hair bouncing. "Hey! You're early—oh… why do you look small today?"
Sierra blinked. "Small?"
"Yes. Like a cupcake that someone yelled at."
Angel laughed. "Marko, what kind of comparison is that?
"A poetic one," he said with drama, before turning serious. "You okay?" I nod even though her chest felt tight.
"Are you okay? How is your forehead? And the cut on your cheek? It looked bad yesterday."
Marko softened instantly, the way he always did with her now.
"It's okay," he whispered. "Thank you for asking."
Ethan joined them, placing a hand on Sierra's shoulder for a moment.
(Stefano's POV)
I shouldn't be here. I should have been in class. I should have been anywhere but hiding behind a wall and watching her talk with Marko and Ethan. These boys, who were supposed to gather her secrets for Stefano's plan, were standing like shields around her. And that made the guilt she didn't even know about… grow.
But I couldn't help it.
The rumors about Sierra had spread further today. Luciana had made sure of that. Her voice was loud, calculated, coated in fake concern. More than once did Stefano overhear her.
"Sierra acts innocent, but you know rich men love that type…"
"Maybe she is trying to get Sebastian too…"
"I heard that she plays quiet but wants attention.
Every sentence made something dark coil in Stefano's chest. He hated rumors. He hated cruelty. He hated seeing Sierra flinch, even when she pretended she didn't. But what he hated most was. Was that he wanted to go to her. Wanted to brush the hair out of her eyes. Wanted to tell her not to listen to any of this. Wanted to pull her away from the world. Anger and longing mixed inside him like poison.
(Sierra's POV)
I tried to pretend my phone wasn't buzzing with new gossip group messages. I tried to focus on her architecture notes. But my head ached. my throat was burning from holding emotions back. And the worst part?
Sebastian, Marko, Ethan… everyone could feel I wasn't fine. Angel continued to squeeze my hand. Marko brought my snacks without asking. Ethan threatened to punch three guys because they were whispering too loudly. But I felt alone.
Until one day, something did.
A presence.
A gaze.
(who was that?)
I turned—his breath catching. Stefano stood at the end of the hallway and watched me. His expression unreadable. His eyes unbearably intense. He was motionless. Didn't blink. He just stared. My heart tripped painfully. I looked away quickly.
But it didn't erase the sensation his eyes left on my skin.
Again, I ignored him. Over dinner, I sat next to Sebastian and listened as he chattered on about a new game he wanted to play. I laughed softly at something Sebastian said. And something inside of Stefano snapped.
Why was he jerked by her laughter?
Why did that bother him, her ignoring him?
Why did he feel anger at himself for humiliating me days ago?
And why did he want me to look at him in that way, as I looked at Sebastian?
He clutched his fork too tightly.
I didn't glance his way. Not once. But Stefano watched me the whole time, his jaw tense, his eyes darker than usual, his emotions clawing inside him to get out.
He got up abruptly, his chair scraping the floor. Everyone looked up in surprise—except me. I continued eating calmly.
And that, somehow, hurt more than any insult I could've thrown.
I went to the balcony for some air. Everything felt heavy. The rumors. Luciana's mockery. My own reaction. Stefano's strange, unreadable eyes following me all day. The night was comforting in its silence until—
I felt someone behind me. I turned slowly.
Stefano. Alone. Hands in pockets. Oh God! Not again.
Chest rising and falling too fast, as if he'd run to get here. Our eyes met. Neither spoke. Tension thickened, pulling my breath away. I stepped backward instinctively. Stefano stepped forward. Just once. Just enough. His voice was low, rough—almost shaky.
"You ignored me today." I looked away.
"I didn't think it mattered."
"It does," he said quietly. My chest tightened.
"Why?"
Stefano didn't answer. Instead, his hand lifted halfway, as if wanting to touch my cheek— then he dropped it again, swearing under his breath. The air between us crackled. Heat. Confusion. Unspoken longing. He leaned closer—dangerously close. A breath away from my lips. I froze. He stopped. Jaw tight. Harsh breathing Eyes dark. He looked at her mouth. And she felt it-felt the hunger he didn't understand.
"Don't ever neglect me again," he whispered. My heart broke open.
"I… I have to go," I whisper. I quickly left. But I had felt his gaze on me until the hallway swallowed me whole.
(To be continued....)