A love that defines fate

Arkins went home feeling down and hurts by Melly's words . But he can't just give up on her even if he wants to and that's the hardest part .

Arkins had never felt this conflicted before. Every fiber of his being told him that Melly was different—someone he couldn't bear to lose. But at home, his father's words reminded him of the mission he had been raised to fulfill.

"She's part of the enemy's bloodline, Arkins!" His father's voice thundered through the walls of their grand yet cold mansion.

"I don't care!" Arkins yelled back, his chest rising and falling with anger. "I love her, and I won't let her be part of this revenge anymore!"

His father's eyes darkened, his expression filled with disappointment and fury. "You're letting emotions cloud your judgment. Do you think love will erase what happened to our family? Do you think she would ever choose you over those she calls her own?"

Arkins clenched his fists. "I don't know… But I do know that I don't want to be a monster anymore."

His father scoffed, shaking his head. "Then you are a fool."

The argument escalated until Arkins couldn't take it anymore. The suffocating walls, his father's cold stare—it was too much.

He stormed out of the house, the pain in his chest making it hard to breathe.

A Bridge Between Despair and Hope

The night air was bitterly cold, but Arkins didn't care. He found himself standing on a bridge, staring down at the dark, swirling waters below. His mind replayed every painful memory—his mother's death, his father's thirst for vengeance, his growing feelings for Melly.

It felt like no matter how much he tried to grasp happiness, it always slipped through his fingers.

Maybe if I end it all… I won't have to feel this pain anymore.

Tears streamed down his face as he stepped closer to the edge. The weight of his own thoughts pressed down on him.

A distant voice called out to him, but he barely noticed.

Someone had seen him—one of his schoolmates—but he didn't approach. Instead, he ran off.

Melly had been heading home when she bumped into the classmate, who was out of breath.

"I just saw Arkins… He looked miserable—standing on the bridge alone," he told her.

Her heart nearly stopped. Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the bridge.

When she arrived, she saw him.

Standing at the edge.

The sight shattered her.

"ARKINS!" she screamed, tears already running down her cheeks.

He turned, eyes filled with so much pain that it nearly broke her.

"Are you crazy?" she cried, rushing toward him.

Before she could say another word, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into a desperate embrace.

Melly froze for a second before she wrapped her arms around him.

"I have nothing left, Melly…" he whispered, his voice trembling.

"That's not true," she said, tightening her grip. "You have me."

For the first time in what felt like forever, he believed her. He hugged her even tighter, holding onto her as if she was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.

For a brief moment, he thought about kissing her. But just as he leaned in, Melly pulled back, her hands on his chest.

"I'm not ready for that yet," she said softly. "We can be close friends for now, but I can't go deeper. Not yet."

Arkins searched her face, then nodded. He would wait.

The School's Whispers and a Friendship on the Brink

The next day, everyone at school noticed their closeness. Rumors spread like wildfire.

"Arkins can't let Melly go because he pities her."

"She's the one forcing a relationship on him."

The whispers followed Melly everywhere. But what hurt the most was the silence of her three closest friends—Kang, Taemoo, and Kim.

They didn't approach her. They didn't ask about the rumors. They didn't even look at her.

During lunch, she walked over to them, her heart pounding.

"Hey, guys."

Silence.

They kept eating as if she wasn't even there.

Melly felt her throat tighten. What's going on?

She tried again. "Guys, what's wrong? Why are you ignoring me?"

Still, nothing.

Then, without a word, they stood up and left her sitting there alone.

From across the cafeteria, Arkins saw it all. His patience snapped.

Arkins Confronts Them

He caught up with the boys in the hallway.

"Hey!" His voice was sharp, demanding.

They stopped but didn't turn around.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Arkins stepped in front of them, his eyes burning. "Weren't you the same ones protecting her not long ago? Didn't you call her your sister?"

Kang scoffed. Kim and Taemoo remained silent.

"You're acting like she betrayed you just because she spends time with me," Arkins continued. "If you were really her friends, you wouldn't treat her like this."

Kang's face darkened.

"We don't care," he said coldly. "She can do whatever she wants."

Then, they walked away again.

Melly saw the whole thing. She had held herself together until now, but she couldn't anymore.

She ran after them, tears blurring her vision.

"WAIT!" she screamed.

The boys stopped.

She reached them, her legs trembling, and before she could stop herself, she collapsed in front of them, sobbing.

"What did I do wrong?" she choked out. "You can say whatever is on your mind, but please—don't give me the silent treatment. I can't do this without you guys…"

For the first time, the boys hesitated.

Then, Kang sighed.

"Then we don't want to see you and Arkins together," he said. "Do that, and we are all yours. We were, and always will be."

Melly's breath caught. "What...?"

Kim crossed his arms. "What does he give you that we can't? Love? Desires?" His eyes narrowed. "Or don't tell me you two have started messing around."

Melly's eyes widened.

"No—shut up," she snapped. "What makes you think I would do that? We've never even kissed, not to mention talk about what comes next. We aren't having any romantic relationship—I assure y'all, we're just friends."

The boys exchanged glances, and suddenly, they burst into laughter.

Melly blinked in confusion.

Kim extended a hand to help her up. Kang ruffled her hair, chuckling.

"Just make sure to maintain that space," Taemoo added with a smirk, "or else what happened today will have been even smaller."

Melly let out a small breath of relief, but deep down, she knew the truth—her friendship with them was hanging by a thread.

And as she watched them walk away, she realized something else…

She wasn't sure she could keep that space forever.