Chapter 7 Rooftop Confessions

The rooftop felt like another world-above the chaos of the dorms, away from whispered rumors and stolen glances. The breeze teased Zara's hair as she stood across from Jace, her arms crossed, jaw tight. She didn't know why she came. But deep down, she knew exactly why.

"I've missed this," he said quietly, breaking the silence.

She hated how her heart skipped at his voice.

"You mean the drama?" she asked, arching a brow.

"I mean you," he replied.

She looked away, wrapping her arms tighter around herself. "You keep showing up like nothing happened. Like we didn't fall apart."

"I left because I was scared. I stayed away because I thought it was better for you," he said, stepping closer. "But not a single day passed without me thinking about you."

Zara swallowed hard. The moonlight lit his face just right, softening the sharp edges of his expression.

"I should hate you," she whispered.

"Do you?" he asked, voice barely above a breath.

She didn't answer. Couldn't. Instead, she turned to the edge of the roof, looking down at the glowing windows below.

Jace moved beside her. "I know I can't undo the past, but I'm here now. I want to fix this. I want us."

She laughed bitterly. "We were never simple."

"No. But we were real."

And that truth hurt more than all the lies.