Maybe Hugo and Darcy really aren't meant to be. The thought crossed Gwen's mind. She felt a pang of sympathy, remembering how she'd invited Bram to her graduation today, only to be met with a straightforward, gentle refusal. We're quite the pair, my cousin and I. Both hopeless cases. She answered the video call. Hugo's cheerful voice filled her ear. "Congrats, Gwen! Finally a college graduate. I sent a gift to your place. Should arrive today." Gwen's face lit up. "Wow, you're the best, Hugo! Love you! So when are you coming back? Feels like you've been gone forever." Hugo chuckled, "Soon. I'll visit when I get some time." Gwen pouted playfully. "'Soon,' 'when I get time'... adult promises are the worst. Basically means never." He laughed again, "You're an adult now. Don't be so dramatic. So... who's there with you today?" "Oh, no one really," Gwen said, her eyes darting away guiltily. She knew she couldn't give him false hope. The higher the hope, the harder the fall. But her hand trembled slightly, tilting the camera, and the unmistakable silhouette of Darcy appeared in the background of the frame. Hugo's eyes dimmed. His Adam's apple bobbed. "How is she?" Gwen realized he'd seen. "Um, she's okay," she said quickly, thinking of yesterday's company-wide email. She hesitated, biting her tongue. Darcy's smart and capable. She'll figure it out. And even if I told Hugo, what could he do from halfway across the country? Hugo, ever perceptive, sensed her hesitation. He pressed her again, but Gwen clammed up, refusing to say more.He didn't push. A gentle smile returned to his face. "Okay. If you're short on anything, tell me. If you need help, say it right away. Don't worry about bothering me." "Mhm, got it." Gwen nodded, understanding his true meaning. He was telling her to keep him informed about Darcy. But Darcy had told her again and again not to spill anything. Gwen's heart twisted with indecision. To tell or not to tell? At noon, the Sterling family had prepared a lavish celebratory lunch for Gwen. She invited Darcy to join. "I better not," Darcy declined politely. "It's a family celebration. I'd be intruding. Next week when you're back at the office, lunch is on me." "Okay, sounds good," Gwen agreed without pushing it. Besides, Hugo's parents would be there. For some reason, after listening to who-knows-what gossip, they'd become adamantly opposed to Hugo's interest in Darcy. No amount of explaining from Gwen had changed their minds. Sigh. They said their goodbyes. Darcy checked her watch. It was still early. She stood there, debating between visiting Alistair and calling Bram to see if she could help out at the lab. Just then, a tall, familiar figure stepped into her path, blocking the sunlight and casting a long shadow over her. Darcy looked up, surprise washing over her face. "What are you doing here? Isn't there a Blackwood family lunch today?" Jethro smiled, a slight hesitation in his expression. "Rescheduled for this evening." Darcy glanced around, confirming no one she knew was nearby, then stepped closer, lowering her voice. "How did you know I was on campus?" "Cindy told me."Oh, right. She'd mentioned it over their meal. Jethro instinctively reached for her hand. Darcy pulled back, tilting her chin subtly toward the bustling campus around them. Too many people. Someone might see. He let out a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh. For the first time, he regretted agreeing to keep their relationship secret. Someone like her... I should be shouting it from the rooftops. But a promise was a promise. He just had to hope for a promotion to "official boyfriend" status soon. "Where do you want to go?" Jethro asked, having noticed her indecisive stance. "Looked like you were trying to make up your mind about something." Darcy looked up at him. "I was thinking of visiting Professor Reed. It's been a while since I last saw him." "Alright. I'll come with you." They walked side-by-side toward the campus' rear gate, crossing the street into a quiet, narrow alley. No one else was around. Jethro glanced down, then decisively reached out, his larger hand enveloping Darcy's slender one. "You—" Darcy's cheeks flushed pink. She glanced over her shoulder reflexively. "Checked. Coast is clear," Jethro said with a grin. It had been a while since either of them had visited Alistair's home. Showing up empty-handed felt wrong. Spotting a small convenience store up ahead, they ducked inside to pick up a few thoughtful gifts. At the far end of the alley, a white sedan was parked. Lucian sat in the driver's seat, his gaze fixed intently on the couple. He wasn't particularly shocked. A faint, wry smile touched his lips. But an inexplicable, leaden heaviness settled in his chest.He reversed the car out of the alley, pulling over to the curb. He rolled down the window, letting the outside breeze wash over him.