"Your person?" Cameron Hughes let out a derisive snort, his eyes filled with icy disdain. "Since when is she 'your' person? Maxwell King, I'm still standing right here."

Maxwell gave a faint, cool smile, his tone maddeningly unhurried. "You two have already broken up. She doesn't want you anymore."

The words were light, airy even, but they struck Cameron like a physical blow to the chest. He took a sharp, jagged breath, his face darkening. "How did you two even end up together? When did you meet?"

"The night before last," Maxwell said, deliberately twisting the knife. He leaned in, emphasizing every word, "That's right, the night you ditched her. We were together the entire time. Grilled steaks, the night view, the works. We spent the whole night together."

The veins in Cameron’s hand throbbed as he balled it into a tight fist. He wanted to swing at Maxwell, but he glanced at the bustling crowd around them and forced himself to swallow the rage.

This was Maxwell King. If he started a fight here, he’d never hear the end of it. Someone would probably catch it on their phone, leak it to the group chats, and he’d be the laughingstock of every social circle in the city.

He forced his temper down. *It’s fine,* Cameron thought, desperate to cling to his pride. *I know Arianna. She isn’t that kind of girl.*

She had told him once, early on, that she wanted to wait until they were married to be intimate. He had always hated her for being so stiff and old-fashioned, but in this moment, it was his only comfort. He was certain nothing had actually happened. This was just Maxwell trying to get a rise out of him.

"I know your little game," Cameron said, his voice strained as he glared at him. "It’s been two years. I can’t believe you’re still obsessing over her."

Maxwell didn’t even try to hide it. With one hand tucked into his pocket, he looked down at Cameron with cool, detached superiority.

"If you knew someone was waiting for their chance, why didn't you cherish her?" Maxwell chuckled softly. "Seems like you didn't know at all. Guess you haven't learned your lesson yet."

"Maxwell, don't push your luck!"

Maxwell ignored the provocation, delivering a final, stinging line: "You're over. I suggest you have some self-respect and stop clinging to her."

"I'm going to win her back, mark my words!" Cameron shouted at Maxwell’s retreating back, his voice thick with frustration. "She didn't belong to you two years ago, and she doesn't belong to you now. Keep dreaming!"

Maxwell didn't break stride. He didn't even look back.

***

The banquet ended, and Maxwell escorted Arianna out to his car. He’d given his driver the night off; he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, and he wanted to drive her himself.

Arianna sat in the passenger seat, her lashes lowered, quietly fastening her seatbelt. She was naturally reserved. Back when the three of them used to grab dinner, Cameron would dominate the conversation while Maxwell would offer a polite response here and there, but Arianna was always the quietest of the bunch.

Yet, even in her silence, Maxwell could tell something was shifting.

"I'm sorry, Arianna," Maxwell said, his voice genuinely apologetic. "I checked the guest list ahead of time. Cameron’s name wasn't on it. I thought he wouldn't show up. I'm sorry for the discomfort tonight."

"It's fine," Arianna replied softly. "You don't need to apologize. This is a mess between him and me. Besides..." She paused. "I wasn't really upset."

"I see," Maxwell kept his eyes on the road, his tone gentle. "If there’s anything you want to talk about, I’m a pretty good listener."

The corners of Arianna’s lips lifted in a faint, grateful curve. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Perhaps it was the brilliant moonlight, the swaying shadows of the trees, or the intoxicating scent of the night air, but Arianna felt a rare urge to unburden herself. Growing up, aside from Rosemary, there was almost no one who actually listened to what she had to say. She had learned to keep everything locked inside, slowly digesting her own grief.

But everything had been happening too fast lately. She felt like a balloon that had been over-inflated, stretched to the point of snapping. If she didn't let some of it out, she thought she might actually burst.

"I’m not upset," Arianna said, leaning back against the seat. "Actually, I feel light. Like a weight has finally been lifted. I’ve been holding onto that resentment for so long."

She looked out the window. "And I only just found out today that he’s been taking Alexis Morgan to all these functions as his date. I don't regret breaking up with him. I only regret that I didn't do it sooner so I could have started enjoying my freedom months ago."

Maxwell smiled. His voice remained low and soothing. "It's all right. You're free now."

Arianna smiled back. "Yeah."

"If..." Maxwell’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his heart hammering against his ribs. He waited a few seconds, gathering his courage. "If he comes back to you, would you ever consider taking him back?"

"Why do you ask?"

Maxwell’s pulse spiked. "Just curious. You..." *Don't read into it.*

"No," Arianna said, staring out at the passing landscape, her voice steady after a long silence. "I won't give him another chance to hurt me. Besides, I think... I think I've stopped loving him."

Only then did Maxwell finally let out a breath he felt he’d been holding for years. A genuine, indulgent smile touched his lips. "Then don't love him. There are plenty of men in the world; he isn't the only one."

The words sounded familiar. Arianna remembered Gemma often telling her the same thing. She chuckled and nodded. "You're right."

Maxwell bit his lip, forcing himself to swallow the words that were desperate to escape: *Arianna, why don't you look at me instead? I’m no worse than Cameron, and my love for you is ten times deeper.*

But he knew this wasn't the moment. The timing wasn't right, and the setting was all wrong. Given Arianna’s slow-to-warm nature, he would likely be rejected on the spot, handed a 'friendship' card, and then they would be back to being mere acquaintances. He couldn't risk losing the ground he had already gained.

He steered the conversation elsewhere. "What time is it? The streets are so empty."

"Eleven. It's getting late."

"True."

It was only then that Arianna noticed something was off. The road ahead required a left turn, but he was driving straight. She glanced at the unfamiliar scenery passing by outside the window and sat up straight. "Are we going the wrong way?"

"We're exactly where we need to be," Maxwell said, glancing at her. "I want to take you somewhere. Is that alright?"

"Where are we going?"

Maxwell refused to spoil the surprise. He held his cards close to his chest. "You'll see when we get there."