Kloe POV:

I had wanted to disappear, to avoid any further embarrassment. But fate had other plans. Now, here I was, bleeding on the pavement, my ex-boyfriend and my best friend standing over me. Shame burned through me, but then a different feeling took over: defiance. I was not the one who should feel ashamed.

I looked up, my gaze locking with Holden's. His hand, which had been reaching for my face in a strange, hesitant gesture, froze mid-air. He flinched, taking a quick step back. A rare flicker of panic crossed his face.

"You... you're Jana's friend?" he stammered, his eyes wide.

Jana, oblivious, nodded brightly. "Yes! Kloe, I told you about Holden. He's also at our university, remember?"

Holden turned to Jana, his voice stiff. "I don't know her."

The words hit me. They were worse than any slap. My chest tightened, a burning ache spreading through me. He was denying me, erasing our two years. The casual cruelty stunned me into silence.

"Holden!" Jana exclaimed, noticing my leg. "Her leg is bleeding. We should take her to get it bandaged, not just stand here." She looked genuinely distressed. "Forget lunch, let's just get Kloe to the clinic."

I knew Holden wouldn't care. He had made it clear. He would never show me kindness again, not truly. I pushed myself up, gritting my teeth against the pain. "No, Jana, it's fine. I can manage." I didn't want his help. I didn't want his fake concern.

Holden's friends, who had gathered around, quickly stepped in. "Jana, Holden, you two go on ahead. We'll take care of Kloe. Don't worry, she's in good hands." They shot me cold, warning glances.

Jana still looked hesitant, but Holden took her arm. "They're right, Jana. They'll take care of her. We don't want to keep your parents waiting to meet my family." He pulled her away, his arm wrapped around her waist. He gave me one last dismissive look. "Your friend will be fine."

As soon as Holden and Jana were out of sight, their friends' faces hardened. One of them stepped forward. "Look, you broke up with Holden. It's done. You need to be a big girl and move on. Don't cause trouble for Jana."

"Holden and Jana are happy," another one said, his voice low and menacing. "Don't you dare try to mess things up for them. Don't be that petty ex-girlfriend."

I bit back a retort. These people were just as rotten as Holden. They were all part of the same cruel game. "I won't," I said, my voice hoarse. "I want nothing to do with any of you." I turned and limped away, leaving them behind. My leg throbbed, but I would rather crawl than stay with them.

I spent the rest of the day in my dorm room, nursing my injured leg. The pain was a dull ache that matched the ache in my heart. My phone buzzed. It was Holden. I rejected the call. He called again, and again. I let it ring.

Then the texts started. Kloe, what the hell is wrong with you? Why are you ignoring me? You think you can just break up with me and disappear?

He continued to bombard me with messages, each one twisting the knife deeper. You dumped me, Kloe. You broke up with me. Don't blame me for moving on. He blamed me for his cheating. He blamed me for his betrayal.

I didn't know you and Jana were best friends, Kloe. If I had, I never would have dated her. You know that. His words were a sickening lie. He knew exactly who Jana was. He had been with both of us, playing a game.

I stared at the screen, tears blurring my vision. He still couldn't admit he cheated. He still couldn't take responsibility. He still twisted everything to make himself look innocent, to blame me. Did he think so little of me that he believed I would just accept this pathetic excuse? That my feelings meant so little to him?

The idealized image of Holden, the struggling student, the ambitious partner, shattered into a million pieces. He was a manipulative, cruel man who cared only for himself.

I wiped my last tear. I opened his contact info and blocked him. All of him. Every avenue of communication. He no longer existed in my world.

Later that evening, I decided to get some ice from the communal kitchen for my swollen leg. As I stepped out of my room, someone grabbed my arm, yanking me roughly into a secluded hallway. I cried out, my injured leg screaming in protest. I almost fell.

"What the hell, Kloe?" Holden's face was inches from mine, his eyes blazing with fury. His grip on my arm was painful.

"Let go of me, Holden!" I twisted, trying to pull away. The pain in my leg intensified.

"What are you doing? Are you going to tell Jana? Are you going to ruin everything for me?" His voice was a harsh whisper, full of accusation.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his furious gaze. My voice was cold, steady. "I told you, Holden. It's over. I'm leaving. I don't care about you or Jana or your messed-up relationship. I want nothing to do with any of you."

He laughed, a chilling sound. "You think you can just say that and walk away? You think I'll believe you? You're just trying to play hard to get. You want me to come crawling back." His eyes narrowed.

He pushed me against the wall, his body pressing close. His breath was hot on my face. A wave of revulsion washed over me.

"Stop it, Holden!" I struggled, pushing against his chest. "What about Jana? You're with Jana!"

His eyes darkened, a predatory gleam in them. "Oh, you're jealous, aren't you? See? I knew you still wanted me." He brought his face closer, his lips brushing my ear. "Don't worry, Kloe. I'll come back to you. I always do."

He tried to kiss me. I recoiled, disgust rising in my throat. I swung my arm, my palm connecting sharply with his cheek. The sound echoed in the quiet hallway.

Holden stumbled back, his hand flying to his reddened cheek. His eyes, initially wide with shock, hardened. He pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, a dangerous smirk forming on his lips. "You think that changes anything? You're still mine, Kloe Levy. You just like to fight for it." He looked at me, his gaze possessive and chilling.

I hugged myself, feeling exposed and violated. He was like a venomous snake, coiling around me. This wasn't the Holden I knew. This was the real Holden. And he was terrifying.