Chapter 4

Nina bit down hard on her lip, tears brimming in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

She gave me a defiant glare, her eyes filled with jealousy and hatred. It was as if she were saying, "You wait."

Then, she turned and ran off awkwardly.

The living room fell silent again.

But Zack's arms around my waist didn't loosen.

He rested his chin on top of my head, nuzzling me softly, like an oversized puppy seeking attention.

He said, "Now that the nuisance is gone. We can finally have a proper talk about our breakup."

He let out a satisfied sigh. A shiver ran through me.

What was there to talk about? His stunt had already backed me into a corner.

I wasn't here for the storyline. I was here to suffer.

Zack was my hard mode final boss, and I hadn't even leveled up.

"There's nothing left to say. I'm breaking up with you!" I said.

I managed to break free from his arms and quickly put a safe distance between us.

I had to get out of here. If I didn't leave now, I would never escape.

That was all I could think about.

If I stayed here any longer, this possessive man was going to make me lose my mind.

I added, "Zack, I've said it all. We are not a good match."

As I spoke, I quietly edged toward the door.

I added, "Let me go, and set yourself free, too. Go find Nina. She is your destined soulmate."

Zack stood there, not moving an inch.

He watched me in silence, those deep eyes of his churning with emotion, like the ocean right before a storm breaks.

"Not a good match?" he echoed, rolling the phrase around in his mouth.

Then he said, "We've already slept together. Now you say we're not a good match?"

My face turned tomato red in an instant.

Seriously, did he have to say that out loud? It might've been the original Sophia who did it, but I was the one living in this body now.

I stammered, "T-That was just an accident."

Zack suddenly stepped closer, his presence almost suffocating. He pressed, "Really? Then tell me: what would actually count as 'not an accident' to you?

"Do I need to do it again, right in front of everyone, for you to finally admit it wasn't an accident?"

Total creep. Freak! This guy was single-handedly ruining the image of genius scientists everywhere.

Zack kept forcing me back, step by step, until my back pressed against the cold door.

I was completely cornered. I decided to throw caution to the wind.

"Fine. I don't love you anymore. I've fallen for someone else. Is that what you want?" I blurted out recklessly.

I was hoping this would finally make him lose all hope in me.

But Zack's reaction threw me for a loop once again. Instead of getting mad, he smiled.

That smile held a hint of understanding, maybe even a touch of indulgent affection.

"There you go again, acting all pouty," Zack teased.

With his good hand, he reached out and gave my cheek a gentle squeeze.

He said, "Is this all because I didn't answer your call the other night when I was working in the lab? I messed up, Sophia."

His words were soothing, coaxing, almost pleading.

He added, "From now on, I promise my phone will be on for you, all day, every day. Please don't be mad, alright?"

I was baffled. He could twist anything to fit his narrative. How did his mind work?

It felt like punching a pillow. No matter how hard I tried to push him away, he treated all my reckless moves as some kind of twisted game.

I was at a loss. Looking at his handsome face so close to mine, and seeing that intense obsession in his eyes, I felt truly powerless for the first time.

I had to run. Right now.

Seizing the moment when Zack was distracted, I ducked under his arm, yanked the door open, and bolted out like lightning!

"Zack, you psycho. I never want to see you again," I yelled, not even looking back as I escaped.

I dashed into the elevator without looking back, frantically jabbing at the close button.

As the elevator doors slowly slid shut, I caught a glimpse of Zack standing at the doorway, not making a move to follow me.

He just stood there, watching me in silence, his face completely unreadable.

But those eyes of his were like a black hole, threatening to suck my soul right in.

A sudden wave of panic washed over me.

Was he really letting me go?