Chapter 3 – The Returning Traitor | Part C (Final Chapter 3)

Dawn crept in, washing the city with a golden light that slipped gently through the thin curtains of Kaivan’s guest room. Beyond the misted window, Thivi stood still, her gaze fixed on the sky slowly breaking open, while her thoughts lingered on the echoes of last night—the quiet weight of Kaivan and Felicia’s conversation that refused to leave her mind.

By late morning, the workshop had grown somber. What once brimmed with resolve now lay in ruins—tables overturned, tools scattered, shards of glass strewn across the floor. Amid the wreckage stood Kaivan. Weariness lined his face, yet his eyes still burned with an unshakable resolve.

“We’ll fix everything,” he said softly, but his voice rang out like a promise spoken over the rubble of hope. “From the beginning, without hesitation.”

Radit moved at once, his eyes alight as though answering a battle’s call. Frans stepped in to help, though his hands trembled, the shadow of last night still etched in his gaze.

Felicia and Thivi worked side by side—the one lifting heavy beams as though they were weightless, the other arranging small tools with deliberate care. Yet between them, a quiet unease settled. Felicia’s eyes flickered now and then toward Thivi, while Thivi kept herself buried in her work, pretending not to feel the air growing denser between them.

At last, Felicia’s voice broke the silence. Sitting on a wooden chair near the window, the soft afternoon light brushed against her dark hair as she combed loose strands from her shoulder. Her tone was gentle, yet it struck deep: “Thivi… you’re close to Kaivan. Tell me, what kind of woman does he like?”

Thivi froze mid-motion. The cloth in her hands slipped to the floor, landing with a soft thud that felt like something shattering inside her. She turned slowly, narrowing her eyes, her voice caught in her throat. “Why are you asking me that?” she whispered, flat yet trembling—betraying a restlessness she could no longer hide.

Felicia met her gaze, a faint smile curving her lips—cold, almost wounding. “Maybe… because I want to be the kind of woman he likes,” she said, as if dropping a hammer against Thivi’s chest.

The words shook Thivi to her core. Her breath hitched; heat rose behind her eyes. She wanted to speak, but her voice vanished. Her trembling fingers reached for the fallen cloth, but what scattered wasn’t fabric—it was the calm she had always guarded, crumbling into silence.

Drawing a long breath, Thivi straightened, shoulders lifting slightly as if to shield herself from something unseen. Yet her tone couldn’t hide the storm rising in her chest. Her gaze locked onto Felicia’s.

“A beautiful woman,” she said, her voice sharp as a blade. She stepped closer, each movement deliberate, edged with challenge. “Tall—over one eighty-five. A perfect figure, curves that turn heads. Clothes that dare, a neckline that tempts. Makeup just enough to look clever. Long hair spilling down like silk.”

Felicia remained still, her stare steady, undisturbed. When Thivi finished, a faint smile touched her lips—soft but creating a distance too wide to cross. She ran a hand through her hair, as if nothing warranted a reply. “Oh, is that all?” she asked lightly, teasing without mockery, like a breeze that could not be caught.

Her words pierced Thivi like an icy nail driven deep. She stood frozen, her eyes shifting as wild thoughts whispered in her heart. She’s only ahead by two points. I have curves too, a decent face. I like daring clothes. My neckline shows. I already meet four of the marks.

Time slid by. After hours of quiet effort, the workshop regained order. Tools lined up neatly; chaos surrendered to calm. Kaivan stood in the center, surveying the restored space, though his mind wandered—drifting toward unfinished matters lingering in the hush.

Thivi sat alone in a corner, shoulders slightly hunched, eyes vacant. Machines clicked softly, underscoring the heavy stillness. At last, Kaivan spoke, low but steady. “Let me take you home.”

Thivi turned. Their eyes met, and after a hesitant pause, she nodded. As she gathered herself, her gaze brushed over Kaivan’s workbench. A small smile flickered on her lips—brief, then gone. Behind them, Felicia watched in silence, her expression blurred: a quiet jealousy, a faint worry, and a fragile hope.

Their footsteps echoed down the hall as Kaivan and Thivi left. Felicia stayed behind, staring at Kaivan’s retreating back. Her hand curled into a fist, as if holding something she couldn’t name.

In the corner, Radit grinned to himself. Hah, what a show, he thought. Always the silent observer, storing everything away. Inwardly, he wondered: did Kaivan notice the brewing storm, or was he too tangled in his own battles to see it?

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The afternoon sun blazed outside, but a hidden storm raged inside Felicia’s chest. After school, she stood before the mirror, studying her face in silence. Her hands moved deftly, smoothing her hair, dusting powder, brushing on a faint blush. Mascara framed her eyes, as if urging her to speak the words she couldn’t say aloud.

“All of this is for Kaivan,” she whispered, clutching a hope she had woven in secret. She picked up her glasses—a rare accessory for her, but today she wanted to look different. Smarter. More mature. Ready to be loved.

Her footsteps echoed along the quiet corridor of Kaivan’s school. The light outside dimmed, making the hush feel like a test. She sent him a message. No reply. The silence waited for no one. Her shoes clicked against the walls, heartbeat trembling in her bones.

Radit appeared at the far end of the hallway. “Hey, Radit,” Felicia greeted, calm on the surface, quivering inside. “Have you seen Kaivan?”

Radit scratched his head. “I think he’s still in class… but I’m not sure. Haven’t seen him today.”

Without hesitation, Felicia turned and quickened her pace. Each step carried her closer to the moment she’d been crafting in her heart—the moment when her feelings would no longer remain a secret.

But in another empty hallway, Kaivan sat alone, absorbed in the Tome Omnicent. His gaze was vacant, his thoughts adrift among its pages and his memories. He didn’t sense the danger lurking nearby.

From the shadows, Tania emerged. Her steps were light, but her intent was heavy. Her eyes gleamed like hidden blades. This time, I’ll ruin him with a scandal, she thought, a small smile curling her lips. He’ll look like a shameless man in front of everyone.

She approached with a sweet yet false smile, letting her hand brush against Kaivan’s arm as if by accident. “Hi, Kaivan,” she greeted softly, eyes probing his. “About your wounds… I’m sorry if I ever hurt you,” she said, voice feigning remorse.

Kaivan glanced at her, weary. He knew well that her words were only a mask. “What’s the point…” he murmured faintly.

Before he could continue, Tania stumbled forward, pretending to fall. Her body leaned into him—Kaivan’s hand accidentally brushed against her chest. In an instant, her voice split the air.

“AAAH! Kaivan, why are you grabbing my Tits?!” she screamed.

The cry shattered the quiet. Students rushed in, filling the hallway.

“Unbelievable! He’s a creep!” someone shouted.

Kaivan froze, his mind blank. “She fell… I didn’t mean to!” he blurted, panic sharpening his words. But the more he spoke, the heavier the accusations grew.

Then, the thud of a bag hitting the floor cut through the chaos. A girl with jet-black hair strode forward, eyes as sharp as blades. Felicia.

Without a word, she pushed through the crowd. Every student who blocked her path was swept aside with precise strikes and swift kicks. Her movements were like a dance—sharp, elegant, deadly.

Cheers died away. Every eye turned toward Felicia. Tania, who just moments ago had been certain of her victory, turned pale.

Who is she?! Tania’s mind reeled, her body stiff as Felicia stood before Kaivan.

Kaivan looked up, eyes widening. “Felicia…?”

Felicia didn’t answer. She simply stood there, back to Kaivan—a silent shield that froze the world in place.

Once she was sure no one else would approach, Felicia drew a quiet breath and pulled a small mirror from her pocket. She adjusted her hair, checked her makeup—calm, unshaken. The crowd could only stare, spellbound by her poise.

With his usual gentle tone, tinged with uncertainty, Kaivan asked, “Why are you here? You usually wait in the workshop.”

Felicia’s gaze cut through him, sharp yet protective. “What happened? Why were you being attacked by those kids?” Her voice was firm, but her eyes held a quiet warmth—she hated seeing him hurt.

Kaivan opened his mouth. “I… it wasn’t on purpose—”

But Tania’s voice sliced through his words. She strode forward with a sly smile and glinting eyes. “Kaivan, you tried to confess to me, right? And then you grabbed my Tits in front of everyone… If you wanted to, you could’ve waited until we were alone—my house, maybe?”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Kaivan stood frozen, face draining of color. Felicia stepped forward, undaunted.

“Who is she?” Felicia asked, her voice low and cold, eyes boring into Tania from only inches away.

Tania swallowed hard. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Felicia turned slightly toward Kaivan, her words as sharp as a blade. “Seriously? You confessed to her? What’s so special? She’s loud.”

Tania faltered, but Felicia wasn’t finished. “She’s shorter than I am. I’m slimmer. My skin’s clearer.” Each word cut, smooth and merciless.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, fingertips brushing her red lips. “And her face? Nowhere near as pretty as mine.”

Tania clenched her teeth, the world around her seeming to shrink.

She’s mocking me? Panic clawed at Tania. Desperate, she turned to Kaivan. “Who is she? She doesn’t even go here, does she?” But her voice had lost its footing—trembling, close to breaking.

Before Kaivan could speak, Felicia answered first. Her voice was clear, steady, carrying an undercurrent of fire. “I’m Felicia Noir Anggraini. Starting today, I’m enrolling here. And I… will be Kaivan’s personal assistant.” The declaration struck like an arrow, silencing the room. Even Kaivan stood speechless.

“Assistant?” Kaivan echoed softly, disbelief lacing his tone. “Personal?”

Tania stared at Felicia, anger and disbelief warring in her eyes. Felicia’s words had erased her presence beside Kaivan.

With bitterness biting at her voice, Tania turned on her heel. “So… I don’t stand a chance, huh?” she muttered, barely audible. She walked away, but her eyes smoldered with revenge. “I’ll destroy all of this,” she hissed as she disappeared into the crowd.

Kaivan could only watch her retreat, his thoughts scattered. “Hahh…” he sighed, quietly drowning in a storm he didn’t fully understand.

Felicia studied his uncertain face, then spoke—soft but unwavering. “I won’t let them bully you again. Do you still remember the promise you made to me back then?”

Kaivan remembered. His own voice, firm with resolve: I’ll protect you, against everything you can’t fight. In return, I want you to protect me from the threats that will come.

He looked at Felicia, searching the calm depth of her eyes. “You’ll stay by my side… until when?”

Felicia’s smile was small but sure, her answer tender and steady. “until you get home.”