Ayla

I was curled up in my room, lost in a book, when a notification popped up on my phone, pulling me away from the pages of La vita intima. Yuna’s name flashed on the screen, and—like always—her message was drowning in cheerful emojis, hearts, and laughing faces, enough to make me smile without meaning to.

“Aylaaa, when are you coming back to campus? Don’t be such a hermit!” she wrote, ending it with what looked like an entire fireworks display in emoji form.

Before I could even reply, an incoming video call filled my screen. I sighed softly and hit the green button.

We talked about River—how Rhett had beaten him up the other day. The student council president, Ares, had helped River get to the health center to patch him up. Yuna was talking a mile a minute, and I just listened without interrupting.

Then, out of nowhere, she dropped, “I think he likes you, Ay.”

I blinked. “Where’d you get that idea? Don’t make me blush. We’re just friends. And you saw what happened the last time things got… more than that.” I arched an eyebrow.

Yuna burst out laughing. “Oh wow… our little dove is conflicted. You hear yourself? That sounded like wishful thinking—like you wouldn’t mind being more than friends.”

She giggled again. “Honestly, I just wanna know who’s brave enough to win the heart of the Corsetti princess.”

I exhaled, long and heavy. Sometimes it feels exhausting—like I’m trapped in this endless shadow of family rules. How long do I have to live like this? I just want… freedom.

The call ended, and I went back to my book. At least, for a while. Somewhere between the words, I drifted off without realizing—only to wake up the next morning and find the book face-down on the carpet.

When I glanced at my phone, the clock read seven. Panic shot through me. My hair felt gross, sticky. I hadn’t stepped into the shower—or touched shampoo—since I got back from the hospital. But today, I had no choice.

I had to go back to campus. I had to. Better to force myself up than spend another day lying around doing nothing.

Half an hour later, I was ready.

When I slipped out the side door, I spotted Mom in the garden, trimming her beloved roses. Her blonde hair shimmered as she turned at the sound of my voice.

“Morning, Mom!” I called out, jogging over.

“Ayla,” she said, stopping me with that look—soft but firm. “Don’t push yourself, sweetheart. You just recovered. I don’t want you getting sick again.”

“I’m fine, Mom! Davvero!” I shot back quickly, waving her off. No time for a long discussion. I needed to make it before first period.

By the time I reached campus, the air felt crisp and cool. Leaves scattered around the fountain where students usually hung out between classes. And sure enough, there was Yuna—perched on a bench, tapping away on her phone.

“Signorina Corsetti has finally arrived!” she shouted the second she saw me, springing up to hug me tight.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” I said with a laugh. “How’s the homework situation?”

We sat and caught up on assignments, professors, and the usual campus gossip. That’s when my eyes landed on something—or rather, someone.

River. The tall guy I’d actually been looking for since I got here.

He walked through the crowd, a strip of bandage still clinging to his temple. The wound wasn’t healed yet, but somehow it made him look… sharper. Stronger. And then I saw her.

A girl—stunning, exotic, with glossy black hair and skin like porcelain—walking beside him. They looked relaxed, talking like they’d known each other forever.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but River’s expression was calm. Peaceful, even.

And then… she kissed his cheek before turning to leave.

My breath caught. Something twisted in my chest. Was it curiosity? Or… jealousy?

“Yuna,” I whispered. “Who was that Asian girl?”

“Oh, her?” Yuna leaned back with a smug grin. “Hana Nakamura. Architecture major, senior year. Filthy rich—Japanese old money. Always wears the same perfume—Chanel Chance. Rumor is, she loves minimalism and spends hours sketching in cafés.”

I listened to every word, and with each detail, the knot in my chest tightened. She sounded… perfect. Elegant, sophisticated. The kind of girl people turn to stare at.

Yuna gave me a sharp look. “You look… tense. Ay, don’t tell me you—”

“No,” I cut her off too quickly. My face, though, probably gave everything away.

Yuna smirked, patting my shoulder. “Relax. You’re Ayla Monroe Corsetti. That girl? Just passing through.”

But even through the morning and into the afternoon, the image of Hana and River wouldn’t leave my head. Not even in business class, where I found myself staring out the window instead of paying attention.

“Signorina Corsetti!” The professor’s voice boomed. I jumped as the entire class turned to look.

“Since you seem to be daydreaming, you can make it up by writing an essay on ‘Business Ethics in Modern Europe.’ Due tomorrow morning.”

I dropped my gaze with a silent groan. Bravissimo, Ayla. Another problem on the pile.

**

The cafeteria was packed when I finally walked in. The air was thick with the smell of coffee, toasted bread, and something that faintly resembled burnt cheese. The clatter of silverware and bursts of laughter made it feel more like a noisy market than a campus café.

I scanned the room for an empty spot. Nothing. Almost every table was full of students chatting or glued to their laptops. I sighed, ready to give up and eat standing, when a hand tapped my shoulder.

“Ciao, bella cugina!”

That voice. I spun around—and there he was. Reid. My cousin who seemed to think his life’s purpose was to annoy me. His grin was so wide it could’ve sold toothpaste.

“One cousin, served as an appetizer,” I muttered, trying to sound annoyed, but a smile tugged at my lips anyway. I could never really stay mad at him.

He slid into the chair across from me without even asking, like the seat had been reserved for him all along. Then he leaned forward, wearing a look that was way too serious for Reid. Which usually meant something ridiculous was coming.

“You know,” he started in a hushed tone, like he was about to spill state secrets, “why can’t pizza ever keep a secret?”

I frowned, pretending to think. “Why?”

His grin split into a laugh before he even delivered the punchline. “Because tutti lo sanno!” He raised both hands dramatically. “Everybody knows—because the smell gives it away!”

It took a second for my brain to catch up with the mix of Italian and cheesy humor. Then I burst out laughing. It started small but grew until I almost knocked over my water bottle.

“Seriously, Reid…” I said between laughs, “you still keep these jokes around?”

He shrugged proudly. “Hey, one day, these jokes are gonna save the world. Trust me.”

For a moment, I actually felt lighter. Almost happy. Until Rhett showed up.

The air shifted the second he walked in. Quiet. Heavy. He sat down beside me without a word, his gaze flicking briefly to Reid before resting on me.

“I’m not here to boss you around,” he said softly. “I just want to stay with you.”

I nodded, feeling warmth and tension knotting together in my chest.

And then… I felt it. A stare.

I lifted my head.

River.

Standing across the cafeteria, his eyes locked on mine. And something in them—something I couldn’t name—made my heart skip a beat.

Then Rhett’s hand slid gently over my head, brushing my hair like I was fragile. “Non preoccuparti, Ayla,” he murmured. “I’ll always protect you.”

I swallowed hard. Not because of Rhett’s words, but because I could still feel River’s eyes on me. Like they were trying to say something without a single sound.