The next day began quietly in the mansion.
Garson stepped out of his room, dressed in a blue shirt and black jeans, backpack slung over one shoulder. He never bothered with breakfast—he couldn't stomach the sight of his father, stepmother, and James all playing pretend at being a happy family.
But today, as he descended the staircase, he heard his father's voice from the dining table.
"Garson," his father called, not looking up from his plate.
Garson walked over, irritation already painted across his face.
"James will be going with you to university," his father announced, slicing into his toast. "He's finally decided to take his studies seriously."
Garson's eyes flicked to James, who was sitting there smirking like this was all some game.
"I'm not taking him," Garson snapped. "He can get there himself."
He turned, ready to walk out.
"Garson," his father said calmly, "don't forget your allowance is still in my hand."
Garson froze. His jaw clenched.
Turning slightly, he looked straight at James, eyes cold.
"I'm waiting in the car. If you're not there in five minutes—ask your dad to give his best son a ride."
Without waiting for a reply, he stormed out of the house.
James opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat with a smirk still playing on his face.
"You know, you could've just said good morning like a normal human," he said, fastening his seatbelt.
Garson didn't respond. He started the engine, jaw still locked, eyes straight ahead.
The silence was sharp.
"So, what's your problem this time?" James asked casually. "Still mad that Dad likes me now?"
Garson's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.
"No," he said flatly. "I just have a problem with parasites."
James scoffed. "Wow. You're such a delight in the morning."
Garson turned the volume up on the car stereo to drown him out
They reached the university.
James stepped out of the car, casually fixing his black shirt and running a hand through his shiny brown hair. His striking green eyes—the only thing he got from his real mother—caught attention instantly.
People turned to look.
He was handsome, no doubt.
But it wasn't his face—it was his personality that needed fixing.
Garson didn't wait. Without a word, he walked ahead, leaving James behind with zero interest in playing "brother."
Inside the lecture hall, Danna sat quietly, her pink dress soft against the wooden seat, her hair tied in a neat ponytail. She had her head down, eyes on her book, tuning out the noise around her—until Garson came and sat next to her.
They didn't speak.
They didn't need to.
There was a weight in the air between them—unspoken, but not unnoticed.
The door opened. Professor Kevin walked in with a new student beside him.
"Today we have someone joining us," Professor said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Please, introduce yourself."
Danna didn't look up. She kept her attention on her book, half-listening.
"Hello everyone," the student began. "I'm James Monroe."
Danna's head snapped up. That name sounded familiar. Too familiar.
And there he was—standing confidently, dressed in a crisp black shirt and blue jeans, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. His green eyes scanned the class… then landed directly on her.
"I'm 23," he continued, still smirking. "And Garson is my brother—just a year older."
The class murmured in surprise, some gasping, others chuckling at the unexpected connection.
Garson rolled his eyes and muttered, "Of course he had to say that."
"I like to play guitar… and that's it. Hope to get to know each other," James said with a casual smile.
"Alright, James. Please take a seat," Professor Kevin instructed.
Fate—or mischief—seemed to be at play today, because the girl who usually sat beside Danna was absent. And before she could even process what was happening, James slid into that empty seat with a charming grin.
Now, Danna found herself seated between both Monroe brothers.
"Hi," James said, flashing a crooked smile. "Finally meeting again."
"Hey," Danna replied softly, offering a small smile back.
But while her attention was momentarily on James… Garson's mood shifted.
He didn't say anything—but the way his fingers clenched around his pen and the sudden stillness in his posture said everything.
He didn't like it.
Not one bit.
They both stood up.
But before Danna could take a step, Garson's voice cut in, calm but cold.
"Miss Coffee, I'm coming with you."
Danna blinked, surprised.
Before she could even react, James spoke up with a smirk,
"Brother… I think you can stay here. And that nickname?"
He raised an eyebrow, his voice dipped in mockery.
"Doesn't really suit when you two clearly aren't that close."
Garson was ready to fire back—his lips parting, eyes sharp—
But Danna stepped in, her voice low and almost detached.
"We aren't."
She turned, looking at James.
"Let's just go."
And just like that, she walked off with James, leaving Garson behind, the weight of her words hitting harder than he expected.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But inside, something burned.
Aiden walked over to Garson, who was still seated, his gaze locked on the door Danna and James had just walked through. Natalia had already left for the cafeteria, leaving just the two best friends behind.
"You good?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow. "And… why is James suddenly in your university?"
Garson let out an irritated breath.
"Dad threw that idiot at me. Said he needs to start focusing on something other than hair gel and girls."
Aiden leaned against the desk, arms crossed.
"And why's he hovering around Danna like a lost puppy?"
"I don't care who she's with," Garson said sharply.
But his eyes… still hadn't left that door.
And the way his hand clenched into a fist on the desk?
Yeah. Aiden noticed.
He smirked slightly.
"Right. Totally don't care," he said under his breath.
Garson didn't respond.
But the tension in his jaw?
It was louder than any words.
The library was calm, filled with the soft rustle of pages and the occasional hum of whispers.
Danna walked between the shelves, scanning the titles. James followed beside her, hands in his pockets, glancing at her more than the books.
"So… Miss Danna Woods," he said playfully. "Do you always help lost brothers of arrogant boys?"
She looked at him sideways. "Only when they ask politely."
James chuckled. "Guess I'm lucky then."
They reached the history section, and Danna pulled out a thick reference book. "This one might help you. It's detailed and has all the concepts."
James didn't take the book right away—he looked at her instead. "You're different."
Danna blinked. "Different how?"
"From girls I've met. You don't try to impress anyone. You're… real," James said softly.
Danna looked away, pretending to search the shelves. "Flattery doesn't work in libraries."
James smirked. "That wasn't flattery. That was observation."
She handed him the book. "Then observe quietly. We're here to study."
He took it with a grin. "Yes, ma'am."
But as they sat down at the nearby table, Danna couldn't help but glance at the entrance—just for a second.
No Garson.
And yet… somehow, she felt like someone should've been here.
Just as Danna was explaining something in the book, James leaned in a little too close, his arm brushing against hers.
She shifted slightly but stayed composed.
Right then—
the library door creaked open.
Garson stepped in.
Blue shirt, that usual unreadable expression on his face—but his eyes?
They found her instantly.
And then they found James.
Sitting way too close.
Smiling like he owned the moment.
Garson didn't move at first.
He just stood near the entrance, watching silently. Like a shadow at the edge of the light.
Danna glanced up—and their eyes locked.
Her lips parted for a second, surprised.
Garson's jaw tightened.
He started walking toward them, slow and casual… but the fire behind his eyes said otherwise.
"Didn't know this was a group study," he said, voice cold and calm, but laced with heat.
James looked up, unfazed. "Oh hey, brother. Want to join?"
Danna looked between them, heart thumping.
This… was about to get complicated.