POV - Marissa*

"She's not even that pretty."

I stared at the security monitor. Watched Kieran walk Claire to her car. Third night this week.

His hand stayed on her back. Protective. Like she belonged to him.

My coffee cup cracked. I set it down fast.

"Dr. Chen?" The security guard looked worried. "Everything okay?"

"Fine," I lied. "Just reviewing footage."

But I wasn't reviewing anything. I was watching my future disappear.

Five years. I'd spent five years building my ...