Chapter 2

Laughter breaks out around the lounge.

“Of course you’ve never lost,” someone says. “You’ve never even competed.”

Another person snorts. “She says it like she’s actually one of us.”

Vanessa suddenly smiles.

She steps closer, and there is nothing friendly left in her eyes.

“Claire, I’ve wanted to say this for a long time.”

She gestures around the private lounge.

“This is for the Russo cyber team. You’re not on the team. You don’t compete. You don’t even work here.”

Her mouth curls.

“The only reason you’re allowed in is because you’re Ethan’s girlfriend.”

I look at her without answering.

Vanessa’s voice gets sharper.

“So stop acting like you belong here.”

She points toward the door.

“Get out.”

Before I can move, both of her hands hit my shoulders.

I stumble back.

My lower back slams into the edge of the door handle.

Pain shoots up my spine.

I suck in a breath and press a hand against my back.

Ethan moves immediately.

For half a second, I think he is coming to me.

He isn’t.

He steps in front of Vanessa.

“Claire, don’t.”

I stare at him.

He looks at me like I’m the one he needs to watch.

“If you hadn’t kept pushing her, she wouldn’t have shoved you.”

His voice softens slightly, like that is supposed to make it better.

“She still has to compete. She can’t get dragged into anything right now.”

I slowly lower my hand from my back.

It still hurts.

But suddenly, everything feels very clear.

“Ethan.”

He frowns.

“We’re done.”

His eyes widen.

“What?”

“We’re done.”

He stares at me for a second, then lets out a disbelieving breath.

“Because I defended Vanessa?”

I almost laugh.

“Claire, seriously? You’re going to break up with me over this? Right now?”

He shakes his head.

“You’re jealous, and you’re choosing the worst possible time to make a scene.”

I look at him.

“Vanessa’s coffee order?”

His expression shifts.

“What?”

“You remember it every time.”

I hold his gaze.

“You still get mine wrong.”

He says nothing.

“When my parents came to New York, you said you were too busy to meet them.”

His face tightens.

“When Vanessa’s parents came, you started planning a week ahead.”

“Claire—”

“No.”

I cut him off.

“This isn’t about one argument.”

My voice is calmer than I expect.

“You keep forgetting which one of us is your girlfriend.”

The room goes quiet again.

Ethan’s face loses some color.

I reach down and unclasp the bracelet from my wrist.

He gave it to me on our second anniversary.

I set it on the table between us.

“I don’t want a boyfriend who can’t tell the difference.”

I turn toward the door.

Ethan reaches for my wrist.

Vanessa grabs his arm first.

“Let her go.”

Her voice is high and sharp.

“If she wants to break up, let her.”

I stop, but I don’t turn around.

Vanessa continues.

“She was never good enough for you anyway.”

“Vanessa,” Ethan warns.

But she keeps going.

“Don’t chase her. Once we win the second half, she’ll come back on her own.”

Ethan’s hand stills.

That tiny pause tells me everything.

Before anyone can say more, the lounge door swings open.

A staff member rushes in.

“Second half starts in two minutes. Everyone back to the floor.”

The team moves at once.

Ethan looks at me, conflict written across his face.

“Claire, I’m not doing this right now.”

I meet his eyes.

“We’ll talk after the challenge.”

He says it like the breakup is something he can postpone.

Like my decision is just another problem he can handle later.

Then he turns and follows Vanessa out.

The rest of the team files after them.

I stand alone for a moment.

My back still aches where I hit the door.

The bracelet stays on the table.

Outside, the countdown for the second half begins.

I walk after them.