Episode 6: The shift in shadows

... The Shift in shadows...

Scarlett and Valen’s relationship had only grown deeper. Their late-night calls turned into whispered confessions, their messages laced with heat that made the distance between them unbearable. Every time her phone lit up with his name, her heart raced, and she knew he felt the same.

But while their bond grew stronger, something else was shifting—something Scarlett didn’t see coming.

Stella was back.

At first, her return felt normal—her usual dramatic complaints about missing out on everything, her playful whining about being left out. But then, she turned her attention to Valen.

“I think I finally found the brother I always wanted,” Stella said one evening, excitement in her voice as she clutched Scarlett’s arm. “He’s protective, dominant, and over-possessive—exactly the kind of big brother I wished for!”

Scarlett had laughed, thinking nothing of it.

Later that night, when she told Valen about Stella’s words, he chuckled.

“She wants me as her brother?” He sounded amused. “I don’t mind. But if I’m her brother, then I should be the only one in her life. No other guys. That’s the rule.”

Scarlett smiled at his possessiveness. “You’re already acting like an older brother.”

“Of course,” Valen said. “She’s part of you, so I’ll protect her too.”

That moment felt lighthearted—sweet, even. Scarlett had no idea how much it would change things.

---

The Unnoticed Shift

At first, everything seemed fine. Stella wrote a long, heartfelt message about how happy she was that Valen accepted her as a brother. Scarlett found it adorable.

But as the days passed, something felt… different.

Stella and Valen were constantly on calls. Scarlett would see their chat notifications pop up whenever she was with Stella, but she brushed it off.

“It’s normal,” she told herself. “They’re just getting close as friends.”

But then, Valen started telling Stella things he hadn’t even told Scarlett.

One evening, Scarlett was with Stella when Valen called. Stella picked up immediately, her voice soft and playful.

“You won’t believe what happened today,” he said.

Scarlett perked up, expecting him to mention something they had talked about earlier. But instead, he told Stella a completely different story—one he hadn’t shared with Scarlett.

Scarlett’s stomach twisted.

She didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to be the jealous girlfriend, and besides, Valen still treated her like she was his everything. He sent her long messages about how much he missed her, he called her beautiful every night, and when they talked, his voice still held the same hunger.

But something was different. She could feel it.

---

A Growing Distance

It wasn’t just the conversations. It was the small things.

Valen started responding to Scarlett a little later than usual, but when she saw his online status, it wasn’t blank—he was on a call. With Stella.

Stella started bringing up details about Valen’s life Scarlett didn’t even know. When Scarlett asked Valen about them, he shrugged it off, laughing.

“Oh, I must have forgotten to tell you,” he said casually.

Scarlett forced a smile, but inside, the unease grew.

It wasn’t that Valen had changed how he treated her—no, he was still the same Valen, still calling her his queen, still sending her flirtatious messages that made her blush, still whispering promises late at night.

But now, he wasn’t just hers.

And Valen?

He had no idea how much things were beginning to change.

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