They arrived at her college. Lucifer pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine.

"We're here," he said.

But she didn’t react.

He glanced at her—her face was blank, void of any expression.

"Sofi?" he called, but she didn’t respond.

His brows furrowed. "Sofi," he said again, this time reaching out to touch her arm.

She flinched violently and moved away .

His concern deepened. "Sofi, what happened?"

She blinked rapidly, then whispered, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." His voice was firm yet gentle.

A heavy silence settled between them before she finally spoke again.

"We’ve arrived. I should go. Thank you," she said softly, reaching for the door handle.

But his voice stopped her.

"Sofi."

She hesitated, turning back to him.

"Will you listen to me if I say something?" he asked.

She met his gaze but said nothing.

His voice dropped to something softer, almost pleading. "Try to pull yourself out of this sadness. Become the girl you were before."

She lowered her head, avoiding his eyes.

"You always listen to me… listen this time too. I can't stand seeing you like this," he said.

Her lips trembled before she whispered, "I listened to you once… but I can't always do everything you say."

Lifting her head slightly, she looked at him, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "I can’t be that girl anymore. I never can be."

Her voice wavered, but before a tear could escape, she turned away.

"Sofi."

He reached for her hand, holding it gently yet firmly.

"You have two choices. You can keep crying, letting the same pain drown you over and over… or you can choose to be brave. Choose to come out of this. Choose to be strong."

She turned her head slowly, her lips parted, but no words came out.

"And I want you to choose the second option," he continued, his grip tightening just a little. "I want you to be strong."

A silence stretched between them. He searched her face for a response, for something, anything.

"Hmm?" he pressed, waiting.

She swallowed hard before pulling her hand away. "I'm getting late," she murmured, quickly stepping out of the car.

Lucifer watched as she walked away, his heart heavy with everything left unsaid.

.....

As Sofi got out of the car and walked toward her college, Lucifer watched her go, his eyes lingering on her fading figure.

Then, his gaze dropped to his hand—the same hand that had held hers just moments ago. His fingers curled slightly as if trying to grasp the warmth that had already slipped away.

"Sofi," he murmured.

He placed that hand over his heart, feeling the rapid, uneven beats beneath his palm. His voice softened, almost as if he were speaking directly to her soul.

Do you hear that? How fast it's beating? It’s tearing me apart seeing you like this.

His throat tightened, emotions welling up.

I didn’t do this to break you, Sofi. I did this to save you from Kian. His jaw clenched. I had no choice.

He exhaled heavily.

But it’s okay. I’m here. I’ll fix everything. Soon, you’ll forget him. You’ll smile again, laugh again… You’ll be the happy, cheerful Sofi I adore the most.

A sad smile ghosted his lips as his eyes followed her until she disappeared into the distance.

"Love you, Sofi," he whispered, knowing she couldn’t hear him.

A few more seconds passed before he tore his gaze away.

I should get going now he thought  to himself, shaking off the heaviness in his chest.

Sliding his hands over the wheel, he pulled his car out of the parking lot and drove away, leaving behind the lingering ache of everything left unspoken.

.........

As Sofi walked toward the college entrance, adjusting the books in her arms, three boys stood nearby, laughing and chatting, too caught up in their conversation to notice anything around them.

Neither Sofi nor one of the boys saw the other in time.

They collided.

Her books slipped from her grip, and she lost balance, her body tilting backward. A gasp escaped her lips as she braced for impact.

But before she could hit the ground, a strong hand grabbed hers.

Their eyes met.

Time seemed to pause.

Before she could react, he pulled her toward him, catching her by the waist to steady her.

Their faces were inches apart.

Her heart pounded—not out of flustered surprise, but from a sudden, uncontrollable surge of anger.

She yanked herself free from his grip and, without thinking, raised her hand.

Smack!

His head snapped to the side from the force of the slap. Silence fell around them.

The boy’s jaw clenched as he slowly turned back to face her, eyes darkening with fury.

"What the hell was that?!" he demanded.

"How dare you touch me?" Sofi shot back, her voice laced with rage.

His brows furrowed in disbelief. "What’s wrong with you? I just saved you from falling, and you’re yelling at me?"

Her fists tightened around her books. "Saved me? You were the one who bumped into me in the first place!"

He scoffed. "And I caught you, didn’t I? A little gratitude wouldn’t kill you."

Her lips curled in irritation. "Gratitude? Oh, how romantic! My foot!"

His smirk vanished. "Don’t tell me you think you’re something special."

She folded her arms. "Oh, right. That’s why you crashed into me?"

He chuckled coldly. "Please. I’ve seen girls far more beautiful than you. Don’t flatter yourself."

Her nostrils flared. "You—"

Before she could lash out again, a sharp voice interrupted.

"What’s going on here?"

They both turned to see a teacher standing nearby, arms crossed, eyes narrowing.

Seizing the moment, Sofi pointed at the boy. "Sir, he was misbehaving with me!"

The boy’s mouth fell open. "Misbehaving?! Oh God—Sir, she’s lying!"

Sofi’s glare sharpened. "I am NOT lying!"

"Yes, you are!" he shot back.

The teacher let out a frustrated sigh. "Enough!"

Both of them fell silent but continued shooting daggers at each other.

"Sofi, get to your class. And you—" he turned to the boy, his voice firm, "you too. Move it."

Sofi huffed and stormed off, while the boy shook his head in disbelief, muttering under his breath.

As they parted ways, they exchanged one last seething glare.

It was hatred at first sight.

........

He was driving toward his office when his phone started ringing.

Glancing at the screen, he sighed. Ella.

Rolling his eyes, he picked up the call.

"You dropped her?" Ella’s voice came through immediately.

"Yeah, I did," he replied flatly.

"How was she?" she asked, her tone filled with concern.

His grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel. "You already know," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Ella let out a small sigh. "Okay, fine. I won’t push. But—"

"Ella, I’m driving. I’ll call you later."

"Wait!" she quickly interrupted.

His patience was wearing thin. "What now?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

"You know how good you are?" she said out of nowhere.

His brow furrowed. "You just realized that?"

She chuckled. "Not for the first time, but—"

"Alright, Ella. Bye." He didn’t wait for her to finish.

"Lucif—" she started, but he ended the call before she could say another word.

Scoffing, he muttered, "Annoying."

Shaking his head, he pressed his foot harder on the gas, speeding toward his office.

.......

Sofi sat in her class, but her mind was far from the lecture. The professor’s voice faded into the background as she drifted into memories—memories of him.

---

Flashback

They were sitting on the sandy shore, the vast ocean stretching endlessly before them. The waves crashed gently against the shore, filling the silence between them.

Kian held her hand, tracing slow circles on her palm as he admired it, his fingers brushing lightly against hers.

"What are you doing?" she asked, tilting her head.

He smiled softly. "Just admiring you."

Her lips curved into a small smile. "You're ridiculous."

He chuckled. "Maybe. But you know how much I love you, right?"

She raised an eyebrow. "No, I don’t. How much do you love me?"

Kian glanced around, then gestured toward the ocean. "See this?"

Sofi nodded. "Hmm."

"I love you as deep as this ocean," he said, staring at the vast waters. Then, shaking his head, he added, "No, that’s not enough. Double that. No—ten times the depth of this ocean. That’s how much I love you."

She laughed at his exaggeration, her heart swelling with warmth.

"I’m serious," he insisted. "I’m not joking."

She squeezed his hand. "I know."

His gaze softened. "You better."

Kian entwined their fingers again, his grip firm yet gentle. "And I will always love you like this. No matter what. I’ll always stay with you. I promise."

She looked into his eyes, believing every word.

End of Flashback

...

A tear slipped down her cheek.

You promised me she thought bitterly. You promised you’d always stay… so why did you leave, Kian?

Her chest tightened, and she quickly wiped her tears before anyone could notice.

"Sofi."

A voice broke through her thoughts, but she didn’t respond.

"Sofi!" Her friend shook her lightly.

She blinked, snapping out of her trance.

"Why are you crying?" her friend asked, concern evident in her voice.

Sofi quickly looked away. "It’s nothing."

Her friend didn’t seem convinced but didn’t push further. "Come on, it’s time for the next class."

Sofi forced a small smile. "You go ahead. I’ll come in a bit."

Her friend hesitated. "Are you sure?"

Sofi nodded. "Yeah."

With a reluctant glance, her friend walked away, leaving Sofi alone.

She remained seated, staring at nothing, lost once again in the memories of a love that once felt eternal.

.........

He sat in his office, leaning back in his chair, but his mind was elsewhere.

On his laptop screen, her picture stared back at him—Sofi, frozen in time, her beauty untouched by the pain she now carried.

A soft smirk played on his lips. How beautiful my Sofi looks his eyes drinking in every detail of her face.

Slowly, he traced his finger along the screen, following the curve of her cheek as if he could feel her warmth through the glass.

This wedding dress suits you perfectly, I’m sorry for breaking your dream of becoming a bride that day... but don’t worry.

His smirk deepened, his voice turning possessive. You will be a bride again. My bride. Very soon.

He leaned closer, his breath ghosting over the screen as if she could hear him.

Just a little longer, Sofi… and I’ll make you mine forever.

His fingers lingered over her face, his touch reverent, obsessive.

No one can take you from me. No one.

A dark, satisfied smile curled on his lips as he sat back, his gaze never leaving her picture.

.........

Sofi sat in her next lecture, her eyes fixed on her notebook, pretending to focus. But no matter how hard she tried, the weight of her thoughts lingered.

Just then, he walked in.

The same guy.

He scanned the room, his sharp eyes landing on her almost immediately. Without hesitation, he strode toward her and casually took the empty seat beside her.

Sofi stiffened.

She shot him a quick glance before shifting her chair slightly away, putting more distance between them.

He smirked. "Oh, hello. What’s with the attitude?" He leaned in slightly. "I’m not that type of guy, you know."

She rolled her eyes. "Did I ask?"

His smirk faltered for a second before he chuckled. "Why are you so rude?"

She turned to him, her expression unreadable. "If I’m that rude, then stop talking to me."

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her books, stood up, and moved to another seat.

He watched her, tilting his head slightly.

A slow smirk crept onto his lips.

"Interesting," he muttered under his breath, his eyes following her every move.

.........

Just like before, Lucifer dropped Sofi off at college in the  morning. just like that, he was the one who picked her up when the day ended.

the ride was silent.

She sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the window, lost in her own world. She didn’t speak, didn’t acknowledge his presence—just sat there, withdrawn.

Lucifer, on the other hand, kept stealing glances at her. The silence between them felt heavier than ever, and he found himself desperate to break it.

"How was college?" he finally asked, hoping to get at least a small conversation going.

"It was okay," she replied shortly, her tone indifferent.

His fingers drummed against the steering wheel. "Had fun?"

She let out a quiet sigh. "There’s nothing to have fun about," she muttered.

Lucifer opened his mouth to say something else, but before he could, she cut him off.

"Can we drive in silence?" she asked, still not looking at him.

His jaw clenched, and without another word, he pressed his lips together and focused on the road.

The rest of the drive remained just as quiet.

.....

When they finally reached home, Sofi got out of the car first, walking ahead, while Lucifer followed behind at a distance.

The front door of the house was already open, so they stepped inside without a second thought.

But the moment they did, a voice rang through the air, sharp and accusing.

"It’s him! The man who had taken advantage of Sofi!" Ella said

Both of them froze.

Their eyes snapped toward her.

To be continued...