Instead of leaving the room immediately, Marcus casually dropped onto Professor Tina’s large bed, lying down right beside Talia as if nothing were unusual.

"Man... I’m exhausted. I’m resting for a bit."

He folded one arm behind his head and closed his eyes, clearly having no intention of moving. If she wanted him gone, she could figure out how to make him leave.

"Aunt, look at Marcus!"

Talia immediately protested, pushing at his shoulder while complaining loudly to Professor Tina.

’So unfair.’

Marcus turned his head lazily toward her. "How about you carry me out instead?"

He remained completely shameless, not even pretending to stand.

"Shameless. Pervert."

Talia narrowed her eyes, realizing ordinary tactics would not work. After a brief pause, she delivered her final ultimatum.

"Marcus, if you don’t leave, I’m starting treatment right now."

She crossed her arms, glaring at him with stubborn determination. She clearly had no intention of backing down.

Professor Tina adjusted her glasses gently and stepped forward, her voice calm but decisive.

"Marcus, I’ve got this. It’s fine."

That settled it.

Marcus let out a defeated sigh, sat up, and slowly got off the bed. He walked toward the door with exaggerated reluctance. Behind him, the victorious Talia immediately brightened, winking smugly and sticking her tongue out at him as if celebrating a hard-won victory.

’Fine. A real man doesn’t argue with a woman.’

That thought became his only consolation.

Still, as he glanced back at her lively expression, he could not help noticing something strange. She looked energetic, spirited, completely fine. Nothing about her resembled someone suffering from serious pain.

Click.

He closed the bedroom door and waited outside.

---

"Talia, are you alright?"

Professor Tina adjusted her glasses and approached the bed, her expression thoughtful. She had already sensed something unusual.

"You said you were injured. Let me take a look."

Talia’s expression softened immediately. The playful stubbornness she had shown moments earlier faded, replaced by quiet helplessness.

"Aunt... I’m fine. I’m not actually hurt."

She stood up from the bed and sighed.

"It’s... because of my fate."

Professor Tina paused.

Talia stepped closer, tugging gently at her aunt’s sleeve while looking up at her beautiful face. Standing beside her, she could not help feeling a trace of envy.

"Aunt, if I were as beautiful as you... maybe fate wouldn’t ignore me."

"Talia, don’t say silly things."

Professor Tina smiled faintly. Anyone capable of resisting Talia’s charm would have to possess extraordinary restraint. She understood very well how deeply Talia cared about Marcus.

"Talia, Marcus was genuinely worried about you earlier," she said softly. "I could tell. It was different from before. He really cares about you."

Talia nodded slowly, warmth spreading through her chest.

"Aunt... coming back this time feels really good."

Her gaze shifted thoughtfully.

"Aunt... what about you?"

"Me?"

Professor Tina’s heart skipped slightly. Had Talia noticed something?

"Aunt... you like Marcus too."

Before Professor Tina could respond, Talia spoke directly, leaving no room for avoidance.

"Talia, don’t say..."

"Aunt. Don’t deny it."

Her voice was gentle but firm.

"What other man gets this close to you? Who else visits your home so often? Who else enters your bedroom? Who else makes you cook personally?"

Talia looked at her seriously.

"Aunt, you like Marcus. Otherwise, why would you let him pretend to be your boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?"

Professor Tina felt heat rise to her cheeks. She instinctively tried to protest.

"That was only temporary... I was borrowing his help..."

She attempted to protect the fragile boundary she had built around her feelings, but Talia did not allow her to retreat.

"But Aunt... what if Marcus likes you too?"

Professor Tina fell silent. That was a question she truly could not answer.

Seeing her hesitation, Talia’s expression softened. Inside, she silently blamed Marcus.

How many hearts are you going to stir without realizing it?

"Aunt, do you know something?" Talia continued quietly. "Back then, I held myself back. I didn’t stay with Marcus even though I wanted to. It was fine when we saw each other every day. But after graduation... when I couldn’t see him anymore... I was never really happy."

She looked straight at her aunt.

"I don’t want you to become like me. Regretting it later."

Those words were the real reason she had spoken up.

"Aunt, maybe I only think Marcus is special because I like him," she admitted. "But in my eyes, no one else deserves you."

Professor Tina sighed softly.

"Silly girl."

She understood too well. Women often became foolish where love was concerned. And once feelings took root, reason rarely prevailed.

Yes, she liked Marcus.

She enjoyed his presence, his sincerity, the ease she felt when he was nearby. Seeing him brought her an uncomplicated happiness she rarely allowed herself.

But her life was not entirely hers to decide.

Her family loved her deeply and granted her freedom in almost everything except one matter.

The engagement.

Her parents’ voices echoed in her memory.

"We’re not forcing you out of cruelty. Your grandfather already made the promise long ago. The family’s honor depends on it. Unless you’re willing to abandon our family entirely... it cannot change."

"Unless the other family agrees to cancel it, there is no way."

That was the reality she could not escape.

The reason she was allowed to remain at Crestwood University, living quietly and independently, was because her family was granting her temporary freedom before her obligations inevitably called her back.

If they discovered she had truly fallen for someone, they would intervene immediately. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

A faint sadness passed through her eyes. Why was loving someone so complicated? What meaning did beauty have if one could not choose happiness?

’Marcus... do you understand what we feel?’

Looking at Talia and thinking of herself, Professor Tina let out a quiet sigh.

---

"Professor Tina!"

The bedroom door opened, and Marcus immediately stepped forward.

"How’s Talia? Is her injury alright?"

He had been waiting anxiously outside. If she had taken any longer, he might actually have used his Human Rock energy to listen in.

"Don’t worry," Professor Tina replied calmly. "A few hours of rest and she’ll be completely fine."

"Thank God."

Relief spread across Marcus’s face instantly.

"Can I go see her?"

"Yes."

She nodded gently.

"Marcus, I’ll start preparing lunch."

"Great. I’ll come help in a bit."

His mood brightened immediately. Cooking together with a beautiful woman ranked high among his favorite experiences.

He entered the bedroom.

"Talia, all better?"

"With my aunt treating me? Of course."

Talia looked proud, then lifted her hand and beckoned him closer with a playful smile.

"Marcus, come here."

"What?"

He approached cautiously. She patted the white sheets beside her.

"Lie down."

"...Why?"

Confused but trusting, Marcus lay down next to her, watching her expression carefully.

"Turn over. On your stomach."

Now he was completely lost.

When he hesitated, Talia pushed gently against his shoulder until he rolled onto his stomach. He complied, still unsure what she was planning.

Then her slender hands settled onto his back, warm and soft.

She leaned closer, her voice brushing lightly against his ear.

"Marcus... I’m giving you a massage. You carried me all the way here. You must be tired."

Her hands began moving slowly, pressing and kneading with surprising skill.

Marcus exhaled deeply. This vixen really knew how to win someone over.

A pleasant tingling spread across his back as tension melted away. The fact that the person massaging him was Talia made the moment even more unreal.

It was comfortable. Completely comfortable.

All the worry, effort, and confusion from earlier suddenly felt worthwhile. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax into the rare luxury.

Her faint fragrance surrounded him while her hands traced along his shoulders and spine, gentle yet deliberate. Warmth built gradually inside him, an awareness of her presence growing stronger with every passing second.

Relaxation slowly blurred into something more dangerous.

His thoughts filled with images of her smile, her elegance, the softness of her voice. His Human Rock energy stirred instinctively, responding to the closeness behind him.

"Marcus... does it feel good?"

At that exact moment, Talia leaned forward, bringing her beautiful face into his field of vision. Her eyes sparkled with playful mischief.

She was tempting him again.