Niklaus Devilson stood like a statue in the university garden, his breaths shallow, his heartbeat echoing the sting of her words. Elizabeth's sharp voice still lingered in the air, piercing his chest like icy daggers. Students nearby watched him with sympathy, some whispering.
But Nik, even in heartbreak, had mastered the art of masks. He forced a crooked smile, a hollow imitation of his usual smirk, and turned to walk away from the curious stares. His long legs carried him across the campus and toward the parking lot where his sleek black McLaren waited. Without a word, he slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and sped away from the place where his heart was just shattered.
The destination was clear—the one place that knew how to drown sorrows without asking questions: The Spark Club.
Luxurious, exclusive, and operating under the secretive Ebon Court, Spark was the crown jewel of nightlife in the capital. No camera flashes, no loud gossip—just the clinking of crystal glasses and whispered secrets between velvet walls.
In one of its most private rooms, two young men lounged in moody silence. One, with unruly white hair and stormy blue eyes, looked like heartbreak had taken physical form. The other, black-haired and calm, sipped his drink like this was just another boring Tuesday.
Nik slumped on the plush sofa and looked at his companion with a frown. "Are you even my friend, Jay? I just had the world's biggest breakup and you look like you couldn't care less."
Jay Moris, the heir of Moris Group—a global conglomerate of hospitals and pharmaceutical empires—rolled his eyes. Dressed in black, his vibe was sharp, clinical, detached.
"First of all," Jay said lazily, "you weren't even in a relationship. So calling it the 'world's biggest breakup' is a little... dramatic."
Nik gasped like Jay had stabbed him. "Wow. Wow. You did not just say that."
Jay leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Second, you were kind of acting like a stalker."
Nik sat up, placing a hand on his chest. "You're not my friend anymore. Friendship over. Canceled." He slumped again, pouting. "I was just trying to become her friend first, then make her fall for me, then marriage, kids, grandkids, grow old together..." His voice trailed into a wistful sigh, eyes sparkling with heartbreak-fueled delusion.
Jay snapped his fingers in front of his face. "Hey, Romeo, back to Earth. You just got rejected. Hard."
Nik blinked, then sank deeper into the couch like a kicked puppy. "You're so cruel."
Jay sighed, his cold demeanor softening slightly. "Look, Nik... there might still be a chance."
Nik perked up, suspicious. "What?"
Jay leaned forward. "From what you told me, she's obviously affected by you. When she said she hates your smile around other girls, it wasn't jealousy... it was fear. Fear that you're just playing around. That she means nothing. But if she's feeling that, it means she cares, even if she doesn't realize it yet."
Nik stared at Jay like he had just grown angel wings and a love doctor halo. "Who are you and what have you done with my emotionless best friend?"
Jay narrowed his eyes. "I don't need to be in a relationship to know basic psychology, dumbass."
Nik lunged toward him with dramatic flair and hugged him tight. "Bro! Without you, I swear I'd be in a mental asylum right now."
Jay awkwardly patted his back. "Yeah yeah, just stop being so clingy. You're the one who said we weren't friends."
Nik pulled away, looking around dramatically. "Who said that? Show me. I'll beat him up."
Jay sighed, grabbing his drink again. "Idiot."
Nik plopped back into his seat and stared at the ceiling, determination slowly replacing sorrow in his eyes. "I need a new plan... I can't go back to class yet, not after that."
Jay smirked. "Then let Operation 'Make Ellie Fall For Me' resume. Strategically this time. No more love bombing. Just... be her peace."
Nik nodded slowly, a mischievous spark returning to his eye. "Be her peace, huh?"
Outside, the neon glow of The Spark Club flickered as if the night itself was holding its breath. The game wasn't over. Not by a long shot.