Lena’s Pov
Few days later, my phone was buzzing nonstop on Noah’s nightstand. Messages from friends I hadn’t spoken to in months filled the screen, all asking if it was true about Ethan, Noah, and me. Someone from the design firm posted a blurry photo of Ethan’s bruised knuckles with the caption, “Karma hits hard.” By noon, the whole campus knew every detail, and people stared as I walked to class. I turned the phone off and curled up against Noah because hiding felt easier.
He kissed my forehead softly. “They’ll stop in a week,” he said quietly. “Gossip always dies.”
I nodded against his chest. “I hate that they talk about Ethan too,” I said, and he rubbed my back slowly.
“He’ll be okay,” he said gently. “He’s strong. It might not be easy for him but he'll get over it.”
The door bu
