When we stepped into Felix's bedroom, I watched him closely as he eagerly told me about what Mike had said. His voice buzzed with excitement, a lightness I hadn't heard in a long time. He laughed between his words, recounting how much he had missed his best friend—Mike, who had once been his constant companion, almost every single day.
I could feel the ache beneath his joy, the deep longing for the people who held his happiest memories. After that meeting, the change in his mood was like a 180-degree turn. The old energy—bright, alive—that depression had stolen from him for so long now pulsed within him again.
I wanted him to stay like this forever. Happy. Smiling in a way that was real, not forced.
"Thank you," he said suddenly, gripping my hands in his. His voice was soft but steady. "Thank you for letting me meet Mike. For giving me the chance to spend so much time with him."
I smiled gently. "Talking to a buddy is the best therapy, isn't it?"
His eyes locked onto mine, and then, slowly, that smile faded, replaced by something deeper, more serious. I felt a flutter of unease ripple through me.
"I'm glad you appeared in my life back when we were children," he said quietly. "You gave meaning to my existence. And now… you're making me find it again. I'm starting to feel how much I love you, Selena."
I didn't blink. My breath caught in my throat. I watched his lips move, trying to absorb the weight of those words. It was real—he had really said it.
That was another good sign.
Without thinking, I threw myself into his arms, clutching him like I was afraid he might vanish like a ghost.
"I love you so much, too," I whispered through my tears. "Even though every day you make me worry so much, know this—I love you beyond life itself. My feelings have always been true. When I didn't have you by my side, I realized just how much I needed you. You're my air… without you, I can't breathe."
Felix stroked my hair, and I could hear the soft laughter in his breath as I cried into his chest like a child finally safe.
"I told you, didn't I? I'll fight for you," he murmured. "I won't give in to this disease if I can be happy with you again. I won't let you suffer anymore."
I stepped back slightly, my eyes still wet as I looked up at him. He brushed a stray hair away from my cheek, his smile bright and full of hope.
I traced a finger lightly over his nose, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my touch. His intense gaze locked on me, and then, slowly, his lips met mine. What started as gentle kisses grew into a blazing fire of desire neither of us could hold back.
For a moment, I was a teenager again—caught up in the pure, wild rush of loving the one person who ever truly mattered.
I pushed him gently onto the bed, climbing on top of him with my arms wrapped around his neck. His hands cupped my face, and he bit his lower lip softly, eyes full of the same longing I felt.
"I missed you so much," I murmured between kisses.
"I missed you too, writer of hopeless fan fiction," he teased, breaking the mood just enough to make me laugh.
I shot him a mock glare, but he only grinned charmingly.
"Selena, it's not my fault some demon threw the pages of your novel in my face. Those scenes really were hopelessly written."
I squinted at him and fired back, "Oh, Felix, shut up and just bring it all in."
That was all the invitation he needed. Like a tiger, he pinned me down, his body pressing against mine as he gently pulled a strand of hair from my face.
"Have you thought about the second part of your novel? Maybe I should be your inspiration?"
"Don't tease me, or I'll lose all my urge, and you'll regret it," I warned, tugging his head down for a hungry kiss. His eyes widened in surprise when I suddenly pulled away.
"And I am not a hopeless writer of fan fiction," I added with a smirk. "Not every author manages to bring their novel to life. I'm unique."
He smiled against my lips. "Yes, you are special, Selena. You always have been."
*
I felt Lucas' sharp gaze burning into me as I walked down to the first floor alongside a noticeably happier Felix. The brunet squinted slightly, casually sipping coffee from a mug as if savoring a rare moment of peace.
"What's good for breakfast?" Felix asked, settling into a chair with a bright smile that lit up the room. His joy was so palpable that Lucas didn't take his eyes off me the entire time, silently questioning what I had done to bring this change.
"Scrambled eggs with a pinch of salt," Lucas replied, forcing a tight smile that barely hid a devilish edge beneath.
Felix shot him an offended look. "Strange—there shouldn't be a pinch of salt in scrambled eggs."
Lucas countered coolly, "It's strange your condition improved so much overnight." His gaze shifted to me, sharp and piercing. "Selena's a born psychiatrist. She missed her true calling."
I pulled up a chair beside Felix and said, "You should be happy your brother's recovering. Or not, Lucas?"
Lucas took another slow sip of coffee, then answered with unexpected seriousness: "Then you don't have a choice. I'm glad you're helping Felix, so I'm taking you to New York with me—permanently."
My eyes widened in surprise. I hadn't expected him to already have plans like that.
"What do you mean, Lucas?" Felix asked, his smile fading slightly.
"You know I have to go back. I came here for you—to help you get better. But I won't leave you alone here. Not even if I ask Selena to look after you," Lucas said, eyes locking onto mine. I understood perfectly what he meant—their mother was still a threat, and once Lucas left, she would have no hesitation about approaching Felix again.
Felix can't stay in Los Angeles—not if he wants to keep getting better.
"I think Lucas is right," I said, turning to Felix. He raised a questioning eyebrow.
"I don't even have a job here," I added. "In New York, I could start fresh. During my vacation there, I felt like a fish in water—I love the city."
"And will you leave your family and friends here?" Felix asked softly.
"I'm an adult. I can visit them anytime. Am I the only one who moves to a new city? Lots of people do it. What's so strange about that?"
Lucas gave a slow nod of approval.
The truth was, I had long ago tricked my parents into transferring me to the New York branch, and whenever they called, I lied without hesitation.
Felix squinted suspiciously. "Something's not right. You two are acting weird."
I laughed nervously. "What do you mean? I'm just supporting Lucas' idea. I know he has his life in New York. Besides me, you need him too—he's your only family."
Felix's eyes narrowed. "And your only family is here… and you want to leave them?"
A recovering Felix could be stubborn. Once he made up his mind, it wasn't easy to change.
"To be with you, I already lied to them. I told them I was transferred to New York a long time ago."
"Despite everything, I don't want you to leave your hometown for me."
"Why are you deciding for me again? I want this. I like this plan."
Lucas muttered under his breath, "This is getting melodramatic."
Felix looked at me with those beautiful, pleading eyes. "Just think it through, Selena."
I smiled, steady and sure. "I've thought about it for a long time. I want to live in New York."
*
With Lucas's reluctant permission, we were able to invite some friends to his house that evening. After seeing how much better Felix felt following his conversation with an old friend, Lucas didn't object. Still, he slipped upstairs early, avoiding contact with the guests.
When Eve stepped over the threshold of the mansion, she let out a soft, almost reverent sigh—as if seeing such wealth for the first time. Honestly, I probably had the same reaction once.
In the living room, Lily glanced nervously around the elegant interior, clearly overwhelmed. She sat politely on the couch, eyes fixed on Felix.
"Auntie, is this really the missing uncle you loved so much?" she asked, causing me to widen my eyes in surprise. "Dad told me about him."
I shot a playful look at Mike, who was deep in conversation with Felix.
Leaning toward Lily, I whispered into her ear, "I still love him, but stud, that's our little secret."
Her smile bloomed wide. "Auntie, this will be our secret!"
Eve settled beside me, trying to look composed and ladylike as she delicately sipped tea from a porcelain cup. I was amused by how out of place she seemed.
"You okay?" I asked quietly.
"He's not here, is he? He doesn't live with you?" she whispered back.
I smiled slyly. "No, he doesn't live here—he just likes to drop by Lucas's place."
A flicker of horror crossed Eve's face.
"Maybe coming here was a bad idea," she muttered, her hand trembling dangerously around the cup.
I teased her gently. "Remember, every secret eventually comes out…"
"Don't stress me out!" she hissed near my ear.
Suddenly, I noticed Lucas descending the stairs. His expression was sharp, unwelcoming toward our guests. His gaze lingered particularly on Eve, and I worried for a moment he might say something to unravel her marriage. But Lucas preferred cryptic, cutting remarks over outright confrontation.
Eve swallowed hard, recalling the party she attended with Sebastian where Lucas had brutally beaten Sebastian for stepping out of line. She knew exactly who he was.
Felix broke the silence. "Lucas, this is Mike."
"I've heard a lot about you. You seem like a cool guy," Lucas replied, surprisingly shaking Mike's hand. Then, with a smirk, he added, "I've already met this lady—quite an entertaining woman."
Mike furrowed his brow, puzzled.
"We met in New York at an event. It's a long story—maybe I'll tell you someday," Eve said quickly.
Lucas snorted. "I'll have a drink and then get out of here."
Felix watched him anxiously, worried Lucas would spoil the mood. Thankfully, Lucas followed through, took a drink, and retreated upstairs.
"I'll grab some snacks," I announced, rising from the couch.
Mike stood too, following me. I caught a flicker of concern in his eyes—he wanted to talk in private.
Once in the kitchen, he leaned against the counter, looking serious. "Something's been off. I feel like I've been followed. Even yesterday, when we were at the playground."
I chuckled, thinking he was being paranoid. "What are you talking about, Mike?"
"I'm serious. Since meeting Felix's mother, I think she's been stalking me—trying to find her way to her son."
The plate nearly slipped from my hands.
"That's impossible. She won't come near him. Lucas threatened her."
"It's possible," Mike said quietly. "When we arrived, I saw a woman standing just outside the fence."
A chill ran through me. My body froze, eyes wide with fear. Without warning, I slipped past him and bolted toward the exit.
"Selena, what's wrong?" Felix's voice followed me as I ran through the living room.
Slippers on my feet, I hurried into the garden, approaching the gate with my heart hammering. There she was—standing behind the bars, ignoring Lucas's warnings.
"Why are you here?" I demanded, glancing back to make sure Felix hadn't followed.
"I want to see my son. I miss him. As his mother, I should have the right to do so," the woman said coldly, hatred flickering in her eyes through the bars.
"Lucas forbade you. You must stay away."
"You couldn't come near him either, yet he let you," she spat back. "He's my son, and no one will stop me. I will get him back."
"Selena, what's going on?" Felix's voice came again from behind.
My heart pounded in terror. He mustn't see her—mustn't know she's alive. If he did, it would shatter the fragile progress he's made. Not now, when his mind is finally clearing.