Never Just Friends

The Betrayal

Hanna leaned against the library table, her eyes fixed on Elordi as he casually flipped through the files he’d brought with him. Despite the tension in the air, he seemed completely unfazed, his usual smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

“Why are you helping me?” Hanna couldn’t shake the question. After everything that had happened, after the lies, the manipulations, and the games, Elordi’s willingness to help still didn’t sit right with her. His motives were never entirely clear, and she knew she couldn’t trust him blindly, no matter how useful he had been.

Elordi didn’t look up immediately. Instead, he let the silence stretch on for a moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. Finally, he met her gaze, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Because I like chaos, Hanna,” he said, his voice smooth but edged with something darker. “And you? You’re a walking storm. I don’t mind watching things burn as long as I’m not the one getting scorched.”

Hanna frowned, a chill running down her spine. She didn’t know if that was supposed to be a compliment or a threat. Elordi always had a way of making her feel both intrigued and unsettled. The line between ally and enemy seemed to blur with him.

“Just get me what I need,” she said, her voice tight, trying to ignore the unease spreading inside her. She needed him—there was no question about that. But trusting him was a different story altogether.

Elordi’s smirk widened, though there was something more calculated in his expression now. “Already working on it,” he said casually, his tone almost playful, as if this was all a game to him.

Hanna didn’t trust that. She didn’t trust him. But she knew she had no choice but to play along for now. Mark was out there, waiting to strike, and she couldn’t afford to be caught unprepared.

“Just remember,” Hanna added, her voice lowering with a hint of warning, “this is for the right reasons. We’re not doing this because you want to see things burn, Elordi. We’re doing it to stop Mark, to end what Ciara started. Don’t forget that.”

Elordi raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her words. “Oh, I haven’t forgotten. I’ll get you what you need, Hanna. You just don’t get to dictate the rules of the game.” He flashed a grin, as though the chaos was already something he enjoyed.

“Fine,” Hanna said, her tone cold as she stood up to leave. “But don’t forget, we’re in this together for one reason: to stop Mark. I don’t want any more surprises.”

“Surprises are the best part,” Elordi called after her, his voice dripping with a hint of amusement.

Hanna walked out of the library, her mind whirling. She couldn’t afford to ignore him. She couldn’t afford to be distracted by him, not now. The plan was clear—find the evidence, expose Mark, and put an end to all of this. But with Elordi in the mix, Hanna couldn’t help but wonder if she was stepping into an even more dangerous game than she’d realized.

And what if, in the end, it wasn’t just Mark who posed the greatest threat? What if it was Elordi himself?