Ch 25: I want some answers- Part 4

Selene felt a pang of sympathy for Zara.

She couldn't imagine what it must have been like—to die and come back under some kind of contract with Ethan.

But before she could ask any more questions, Ethan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen before standing up.

"I have to take this. These people sure have the worst timing possible." 

He muttered, walking a few steps away. He looked reluctant, but the fact that he was not cutting the call must mean that it was important.

The moment he was out of earshot, Zara turned back to Selene.

"Just so you know, I'm not actually Ethan's girlfriend. I like to say this around people to stop them from going after Ethan." 

Zara started, a playful glint in her eyes. She seemed to know something Selene did not.

Selene raised an eyebrow. 

"I didn't ask."

Zara chuckled. 

"No, but you needed to know anyway. I am sure Ethan would appreciate it as well if I tell you this?"

Selene frowned. 

"Why?"

Zara tilted her head, studying her.

"Because it'll save you some confusion in the future."

Selene didn't know what to make of that statement. She did not want anything to do with Ethan Park if she could help it.

As far as she knew, she was never going to meet Ethan Park once she had her answers.

She opened her mouth to question it, but before she could, Ethan returned.

"Let's go. We're heading back home" 

He said, looking at Zara. 

Zara sighed but got to her feet without complaint.

Ethan, however, didn't leave right away. Instead, he reached for Selene's phone and their hands brushed against each other.

Selene pulled back as she felt static filling her vision, and that made her late to react to anything Ethan was doing.

"Hey—!"

He ignored her protest, quickly typing something in before handing it back.

"There. Now I have your number. Make sure you save mine, because I will call you soon." 

He said, handing Selene her phone back.

Selene glanced down at her phone, noticing that he had not only saved his number but also called himself to get hers.

She looked up at him, unimpressed. 

"You could have just asked for my number. Why did you have to snatch my phone like this?"

Ethan smirked. 

"Where's the fun in that?"

Selene resisted the urge to throw her phone at his face.

"Don't ignore me when I call, or I will be forced to take drastic measures against you." 

He added before turning to leave.

Selene let out a long sigh, staring at her phone.

She had a feeling that she wouldn't be getting a moment of peace anytime soon.

As Ethan and Zara left the café, Selene let out a long sigh and leaned her head against the table.

Her mind was a mess.

Too much had happened in such a short time. The attack, Ethan saving her, learning about the Scouts, and now finding herself tangled up with two people who clearly knew more than they were letting on.

She needed time to think.

A sharp ding echoed in her ears, pulling her attention back.

[System Notification: New Update Available]

Selene's heart skipped a beat. She quickly checked her interface, eyes scanning for anything new.

There—beneath the [Amplifier] skill—something had changed.

A second line had appeared.

[Amplifier – Lv. 1

Effect: Increases all stats of the designated "Target" by 5%. Cannot be used on the user.]

Two empty slots sat underneath, waiting to be filled.

Selene frowned.

She had known her system was strange, but this? This was just cruel.

A buffing skill that only worked on others?

The bitter taste of frustration rose in her throat.

So that was her role? Supporting others while she remained weak herself?

She clenched her fists, forcing herself to breathe.

No.

There had to be a silver lining.

A skill was a skill. Even if it wasn't what she wanted, it might still be useful.

Besides, if this was what the system gave her, there had to be a reason.

Shoving her irritation aside, she stood up.

She needed rest.

The hotel wasn't far, and the moment she stepped into her room, she let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

Finally, she was alone.

Collapsing onto the bed, she pulled out her phone.

A quick glance at her notifications confirmed something surprising—no missed calls. No messages. No desperate attempts from her family to contact her.

Silence.

For a second, she felt relief.

But then the realization sank in.

It wasn't unusual.

Her family had never really reached out first.

She was always the one who sought them out, always the one who tried to keep them together.

And now that she had stopped?

Nothing changed.

Selene scoffed, tossing her phone onto the nightstand.

It didn't matter.

She had more important things to worry about.

Like getting a new phone.

She needed one that couldn't be tracked.

With that thought in mind, she closed her eyes, exhaustion washing over her.

______

Meanwhile, across the city, Zara shot Ethan a sharp look as they walked down the dimly lit streets.

"Are you serious about this?" 

She asked, arms crossed.

Ethan barely spared her a glance.

"About what?"

"About involving her." 

Zara pressed.

She knew him.

She knew what he had vowed.

No entanglements. No unnecessary attachments.

He had made it clear that his only goal was revenge.

So why was he dragging Selene into this?

Ethan smirked, his golden eyes glinting under the streetlights.

"Don't worry about it." 

He said.

Zara frowned.

"How can I not? You swore you wouldn't get involved with humans again."

Ethan let out a low chuckle. 

"She's different."

Zara narrowed her eyes.

"How?"

His smirk widened, but his gaze grew distant.

"Because, Selene is special." 

He said simply.

Zara stiffened.

She didn't like the way he said that.

There was something final about his tone, something that made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

Selene had no idea what she had gotten herself into.

And for the first time since meeting Ethan, Zara felt sorry for someone else.