Mira’s POV
I lingered in the kitchen for a long time, washing the dishes twice before finally leaving.
I didn’t come out until I heard Cale finish his shower and close his bedroom door.
Running into each other right after we’d both showered felt too awkward, so thankfully, he had the decency to stay in his room.
The apartment was cramped enough to make me feel claustrophobic, and the bathroom was even worse.
I rushed through my shower, water still beading on my skin, then reached for my pajamas—only to realize I’d left them outside.
I hesitated for a long time, too embarrassed to ask Cale for help.
I pressed my ear against the door and listened for any movement outside.
When I was sure the hallway was silent, I wrapped a towel around myself and slipped out.
It barely covered the tops of my thighs, and water trickled down my calves as I carefully made my way toward my bedroom.
Just as I passed Cale’s bedroom door, it opened.
He stood in the doorway, his dark gaze moving from my face to my shoulder before following the path of a water droplet as it rolled down my skin.
I froze, my wet hair still dripping onto my shoulders.
He hadn’t been out of the shower long either.
His dark hair was still damp, falling loosely across his forehead, and the black robe he wore hung slightly open, revealing the edge of the white bandage near his collarbone.
And the way he looked at me was dark and intense.
“I… I forgot my pajamas.”
I stammered out the explanation before quickly turning toward my room.
But my foot caught on something, and I stumbled backward.
A scream escaped me, but before I could hit the floor, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and caught me.
Unfortunately, that was the exact moment the towel slipped free.
I went completely rigid.
My mind went blank, and heat rushed straight to my face.
I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole, but his arm remained firmly around my waist, holding me against him.
I could feel the weight of his gaze and the uneven rhythm of his breathing.
“Let me go…” My voice trembled.
Instead of letting me fall, he scooped me into his arms and carried me toward my bedroom.
Panic seized me.
“I’m only here to take care of you.
You can’t just—”
”Don’t move.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
His voice was low and strained, as though he were forcing himself to remain calm.
It wasn’t until he set me gently on the bed and pulled the blanket over me that I realized he had no intention of doing anything else.
He had simply carried me here and covered me up.
But his hands were still braced against the mattress on either side of me, and his face was only inches from mine.
I didn’t know how long he’d been holding himself back before finally stepping away, and I didn’t dare ask.
His voice came out rough.
“From now on, wear proper clothes in the house. If this happens again, I can’t promise I’ll be able to control myself. I’m not made of stone.”
I wanted to disappear from embarrassment.
I bit my lower lip and nodded.
“I understand.”
He turned his face away and drew a deep breath.
“Good night.”
The moment his bedroom door closed, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
But my heart was still pounding wildly against my ribs.
I scrambled into my pajamas, locked my bedroom door, and only then felt calm enough to lie down.
I tossed and turned throughout the night, my thoughts tangled and restless.
I barely slept.
I woke early the next morning.
I had a makeup exam for a course I’d failed last semester, and I couldn’t afford to be late.
More importantly, I really didn’t want to face Cale after what had happened the night before.
I quietly made breakfast, left it warming in the pot, and slipped out for Mooncrest Pack Academy.
After the morning exam, I returned to the classroom.
It was the break between classes, with two major lectures still ahead.
The moment I walked in, I saw Vivienne surrounded by a group of classmates.
She had good grades, decent looks, and always made a point of casually mentioning that she would one day inherit Mooncrest Jewelry Group.
Naturally, she had no shortage of admirers at school, all hoping to get close to her and benefit from her family’s influence.
They were falling over themselves to flatter her.
“Vivienne, with you entering the jewelry competition hosted by Silvercrest Pack, the rest of us don’t stand a chance!”
”Exactly!
A wealthy heiress who works this hard? You are reading on g.com, the official source.
What chance do ordinary students like us have?”
”Even the professors are saying you’re the favorite to win.
Once you take first place, your dad will definitely hand Mooncrest Jewelry Group over to you.
What would your sister even have to say about that?”
Vivienne soaked up the praise with a modest smile.
“Now, now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s always someone better out there. I actually saw the participant list in the professor’s office earlier, and it looks like my sister signed up too.”
Chloe, Vivienne’s so-called best friend, immediately burst out laughing as though she’d just heard the funniest joke in the world.
“What? Mira? She entered the jewelry competition? She’ll just be cannon fodder for you!”
Chloe’s father was a mid-level manager at Mooncrest Jewelry Group.
If Vivienne eventually became president, Chloe’s family would benefit enormously.
So she went out of her way to flatter Vivienne and tear me down.
Vivienne immediately put on a concerned expression.
“Chloe, that’s enough. My sister has a temper. She wouldn’t be happy if she heard you talking about her like that.”
Chloe only doubled down.
“Am I wrong? Mira has failed five of her major courses. She should be counting herself lucky if she manages to graduate, and she still has the nerve to enter a jewelry competition? She has no idea what she’s getting herself into.”
A few classmates snickered.
Then someone whispered, “Stop. Mira’s back.”
The laughter immediately died down.
Vivienne turned toward the door, her gaze filled with meaning.
Chloe looked me up and down and snorted.
“Well, well. If it isn’t our five-failed-courses queen. You failed five out of seven major courses, and you still have the nerve to enter a jewelry competition? Do us all a favor and stop telling people you’re Vivienne’s sister. You’re embarrassing her.”
Vivienne immediately spoke in her sweet, gentle voice.
“My sister just hasn’t applied herself enough. If she studied properly, I’m sure she’d do better than me.”
Chloe rolled her eyes.
“Her? Vivienne, you’re too kind. If it were me, I wouldn’t even admit to having a sister like that.”
Vivienne hid the triumph in her eyes and walked toward me with the image of a gentle, innocent sister.
She took my hand and said softly, “Mira, Chloe doesn’t know when to stop. Don’t be angry with her. No matter what, you’re still my sister, and I genuinely hope you win something in this competition.”
Scattered laughter rippled through the classroom.
The idea of someone who had failed five major courses winning a prestigious jewelry competition was obviously hilarious to them.
I calmly pulled my hand from hers.
“Then I’ll take that as a blessing. If I win, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
Vivienne blinked, clearly not expecting me to take her words seriously.
Chloe immediately jumped back in.
“Mira, do you even hear yourself? There’s only one champion in this competition. Only one winner gets the chance to work with Silvercrest Group. With Vivienne in the running, you really think you’re going to win? Keep dreaming!”
A few onlookers chimed in.
“Let the girl dream.”
Vivienne once again played the peacemaker.
“Sister, don’t take what everyone says to heart. They’re just joking around.”
I smiled.
“You shouldn’t take what they say to heart either. Otherwise, the higher your hopes, the harder the fall.”
Vivienne stared at me.
She clearly hadn’t expected me to say something like that in front of everyone, let alone imply that she might lose.
Her eyes immediately reddened, and she looked at me with wounded innocence.
“Sister, are you saying I won’t win? I genuinely wished you well. We’re sisters. How could you curse me?”