Evadne couldn't help but glance at Hades the next morning, her brows furrowed as he pulled up in front of her house to pick her up for school.
He was whistling.
Not just a mindless hum, but an actual, happy kind of whistle. Cheerful. Effortless. It was… unsettling.
"What?" Hades asked, smiling as he caught her confused expression.
"You seem… happy?" Evadne said slowly, sliding into the passenger seat, still eyeing him like he was some anomaly that needed observation.
"Am I not allowed to be?" The smile on Hades's lips faltered, just for a moment.
"I didn't say that," she replied quickly. "Of course you're allowed to be happy. It's just… I'm not used to seeing you like this."
"Like what?" he asked, the grin returning, warmer this time.
"Smiling like that. Genuinely smiling. Like you're really, truly happy," she said honestly. "Makes me wonder what happened last night. Did you finally wake up on the right side of the bed?"
"Something like that," he answered, his grin widening like a secret he had no plans of sharing. "If you're curious, you could always just read my mind, right?"
"No, thank you," Evadne replied flatly, face scrunching.
"Why not? Don't pretend you're not tempted," Hades teased, eyes flicking toward her as he turned the wheel.
"With the way your eyes and mouth are smiling right now? I'm almost one hundred percent sure that whatever happened last night needs to be censored," Evadne deadpanned.
He laughed. Really laughed.
A real, full-bodied laugh that made her blink.
It wasn't cold or sarcastic. It wasn't the mocking smirk he usually threw around like a shield. It was light. Playful.
"Are you sure you don't want to know?" he went on, amusement dancing in his voice. "You might regret it. And since it's still fresh in my head, you're bound to stumble into it sooner or later if you ever tune in. Might as well find out now. Who knows, maybe I dreamed of you last night. That's why I woke up in such a good mood."
Evadne cringed, hard. "Can you not? You're giving me goosebumps."
That made Hades laugh even harder.
And Evadne, despite herself, smiled. "It suits you."
"What does?" he asked, brow raised.
"Laughing like that," she said softly, turning her gaze toward the road. "Smiling in a way that actually reaches your eyes. It suits you."
He didn't respond at first.
But he nodded slowly, eyes flickering toward her as warmth crept up the back of his neck and into his ears. His heart was hammering, but he masked it with a light hum.
Silence settled between them again.
But this time… it wasn't awkward.
Not like before.
There was something new in the air between them. Something quiet. Curious. Warm.
And it was Hades who broke the silence.
"We talked," he said, voice a little softer now, eyes on the road.
"Who?" Evadne asked.
"Me. Mom. Dad." He kept his tone steady. "That night, after you showed me that underwater paradise… after I took you home, I drove to the Falcon estate. I didn't plan on going in. I just… sat in the car. But Mom saw me. She came out and asked me to come inside. And we talked."
He glanced at Evadne again.
She was listening. Silent. Focused. But not interrupting.
"I apologized for what I did," Hades continued. "For trying to take my own life. And they forgave me. On one condition, that I never do it again."
He swallowed. "And Dad… he said if I still wanted to continue the CEO training, I could. Not because I'll be the next Falcon heir, but just in case I wanted to build something of my own. Something for me."
Evadne's gaze softened, but she remained quiet.
"Mom wanted me to move back into the estate," Hades added, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "But Dad said no. Said it's better if I live on my own, figure things out without the pressure. So I'm staying in the apartment. But Mom insisted I at least come home for dinner every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday."
Evadne finally smiled. "That's good. Small steps. But you're getting there, Hades. You'll find your own path… sooner or later."
He stared at her for a second too long, something unspoken catching in his throat.
"I have you to thank for that," he said sincerely.
Evadne stared at him like he just said the most blasphemous thing in the world. "Oh my gosh. Are you dying?"
Her horrified expression made Hades bark out another laugh.
And for a fleeting second, he let himself wonder, just how far he would fall for the girl who kept saving him from himself.
"Sorry to disappoint you," Hades said with a crooked grin, "but I'm not dying. Perfectly healthy, actually."
He shifted slightly in his seat, eyes still focused on the road ahead.
"After that night, things just… got clearer." His voice dipped, less playful now. "I finally understand my father. Why even when I did everything he asked of me, he was still disappointed."
He chuckled bitterly. "It is irritating, isn't it? Watching someone do what you want them to do, when you know they hate every second of it."
Evadne gave a small nod, quietly absorbing the weight behind his words.
"You sure you're not dying?" she asked again, only half-joking.
Hades laughed. "Wow. You really want me dead that bad?"
"Of course not," she rolled her eyes, smirking. "I'm just making sure. I don't want to pick a fight with you today only for you to suddenly drop dead and I end up being blamed for your tragic demise."
He shook his head, still smiling. "Here I am trying to be grateful, and you're already planning my eulogy."
"Fine, fine. I get it," Evadne said, grinning now.
They were already approaching the gates of NYE.
"Thank you, by the way," she added softly.
"For what?" Hades asked, one brow lifting.
"For telling Selena to take down the video. You didn't have to do that. I could've handled it on my own."
"I know," he said with a shrug. "But I couldn't pass up the opportunity."
Her brow twitched, a subtle arch forming. "Do what you want, Hades. Just be careful how you move your pawns."
His knuckles flexed over the steering wheel, intrigued.
"Don't corner people too much," Evadne continued. "Even a docile dog bites when it's backed into a wall."
The car rolled into the parking lot and came to a smooth stop.
Casadin was already there, waiting. He opened the passenger door even before Hades could step out.
"Good morning, Princess," he greeted, placing a kiss on Evadne's lips before reaching for her bag and slinging it casually over his shoulder.
Evadne turned to Hades. "Thanks for the ride."
But just as she stepped away, he called out.
"Vee."
She paused, glancing over her shoulder.
"Are we still playing?" His voice was calm, too calm, but his gaze burned like a challenge.
For a moment, Evadne blinked, confused. And then it clicked. The game.
The game she dared him to play.
She smirked.
"Of course. Like I said before… give it your best shot, Hades Falcon."
He leaned back, confident. "Good. Winner takes it all, then."
"Winner takes it all," Evadne repeated with a grin, then turned away, walking toward the academic building.
But Casadin lingered.
He didn't move, didn't smile. His eyes locked with Hades's.
And Hades was smirking at him like the devil himself, eyes full of dark promise.
Casadin recognized the look.
It wasn't passive. It wasn't casual.
It was a warning.
He wasn't going to take something from Casadin behind his back this time.
He was going to take it while looking him in the eye.
That was the challenge.
That was the war declaration.
"Cas?" Evadne's voice cut in, snapping Casadin out of his thoughts. She had turned back, waiting for him.
He blinked and stepped forward quickly, kissing her gently on the temple. "Yeah… sorry about that. Something caught me off guard."
He slung an arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the building.
"What is it?" she asked, concerned.
Casadin frowned. "That dog's smile. Creepy as hell. You just know he's up to no good."
Evadne laughed softly.
"So I wasn't the only one who noticed?" she said. "But I wouldn't call it creepy. Just… weird. We're not used to seeing him smile like that."
She wrapped one arm around his waist, trying to ease his tension.
But behind them, still standing by his car, was Hades.
Watching.
Fist clenched.
Eyes burning.
And for the first time in a long time, he wasn't thinking about strategy.
He was thinking about want.
And how far he'd go to win.
"Babe…"
Hades heard Cieryl's voice behind him, laced with honey.
The moment the word reached his ears, fury bloomed like wildfire in his chest. His jaw clenched as he shut his eyes and forced a deep breath in, burying the rage, the disgust, the betrayal.
When he turned to face her, there was no trace of the storm within. Only a loving smile graced his lips, and a familiar softness in his eyes.
"Babe," he replied, voice warm and steady.
Cieryl smiled sweetly, hooking her arm through his. "Who were you looking at? I've been calling you for a while. You didn't even hear me."
There was a slight pout in her tone, a gentle, playful complaint that used to tug on his guilt. That used to work.
Not anymore.
Now, all he felt was revulsion.
But she didn't need to know that.
"Sorry," Hades said smoothly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I was just thinking about what gift to bring for Mom tonight. We're having dinner."
"Oh? You went home already?" Cieryl asked, eyes lighting up with interest.
"No," he answered casually. "Still staying at the apartment. Dad suggested I keep some distance, give myself breathing room. Maybe that's what I need. But we agreed on having family dinners three times a week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday."
Cieryl beamed. "That sounds really good for you."
Then Thatcher stepped into view, and Hades turned to him with a smile.
"Thanks, bro, for picking Cieryl up and driving her," he said.
"No problem at all," Thatcher replied, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "We're neighbors, so it's not really a hassle."
Hades's smile didn't waver, but his eyes did narrow, just slightly, as he finally saw them.
The look they shared. That unspoken familiarity. The quick, subtle glances that said too much.
How blind was I? Hades thought bitterly. How long have I been played like a fool?
If not for Evadne, he would've never seen the rot behind the shine. The deception behind Cieryl's "innocence." The betrayal masquerading as friendship.
As they began walking toward the academic building, Cieryl clutched his hand.
"Did you talk to Selena?" she asked, a little too carefully.
"About what?" Hades asked mildly, lacing his fingers with hers.
"About her job," Cieryl said, feigning concern. But Hades caught the flicker of unease in her eyes.
Selena must've confronted her. Probably blackmailed her before showing up at his penthouse last night. Interesting.
But he said nothing. He let Cieryl believe she still held the upper hand.
"We talked," Hades confirmed.
"So… you gave her the job back?" Cieryl asked, smiling just enough to look gracious, like a kind-hearted friend who hoped for the best for everyone.
"No," Hades said, voice cool and calm.
The slight falter in her steps didn't go unnoticed. Nor did the way her hand subtly tensed in his.
"But the video's already been taken down…" she said slowly.
"And you heard Tyla," Hades replied smoothly. "A lot of staff have been complaining about Selena's attitude on set. I can't risk giving her back those other projects. I need to draw the line somewhere."
He squeezed her hand gently, tilting his head with a soft, reassuring smile.
"But don't worry," he continued. "I still gave her an exclusive contract with Ceres Jewelry. That's Falcon's biggest modeling campaign. It might be the only project she's holding now, but it's the best. She won't suffer."
"Besides, with everything going on with the Student Board Organization and all school activities, at least this way her schedule won't suffer. You know, less stress."
He reached out, brushing his thumb across her cheek, voice warm and low.
"And I did it because of you. You're such a good friend to Selena. Since she's your best friend, of course I'll give her the best I can offer."
Cieryl's smile twitched, her carefully constructed mask slipping for just a second.
"I just have to be cautious," Hades added, tone lighter now. "Can't afford to lose my decision-making rights in the company. Dad's watching every move I make. One wrong step, and I'm out."
Cieryl nodded, doing her best to look proud and grateful. "Okay… thank you. That really means a lot."
She flashed him her most innocent, most practiced expression.
Hades smiled back, equally polished. Equally fake.
Because in that moment, he was no longer the boy who once loved her.
He was the man who knew he'd been used, and was planning exactly how to return the favor.