"What am I going to do?"

I didn't and couldn't believe Edward had been trying to eavesdrop on my and Hayden's conversation. That was beyond my understanding and my nausea amplified at the thought of that.

"Show me the phone. What exactly did he say?" Hayden spoke, irritation clearly etched on his face. I did as he said, and he read the simple text, probably looking into it more than I could, and understanding more of what Edward's intentions meant. "You know, that doesn't sound normal,"

"You think he has the same intentions as Hannah?" I gasped as if suddenly realising there could be more to Edward just not letting go of this so easily.

Hayden's vigilant eyes darkened as he let out a swift breath. "I think he has worse than her," He thought for a bit, eye stalking my texts, with my phone still clutched in his hand. "This
hacking your phone kind of thing isn't normal. He has your personal information, and he could do worse things with it now,"

"Oh..."

"Or worse, threaten you or blackmail you against your will,"

I exhaled a sharp breath, laying back in my bed, and closing my eyes for it to all vanish. I lay frozen, counting backwards for whatever this nightmare was, to just end, and to finally feel okay again. "I sometimes thought... Maybe I was finally worthy of someone. Maybe I was enough for Edward but... I was so wrong..." I let out a shuddering whisper.

I felt the mattress weigh down as Hayden joined, his breathing nearing me, but still managing to keep a good distance between us. "I don't think you can ever be enough for someone, and I speak from experience," He whispered back as if recalling some memories. I instantly shot my eyes open at his presence beside me, waiting for him to continue. "You just need to find someone who completes the not enough parts of you. That's what love is supposed to look like,"

"I just don't know what it is anymore," I honestly answered, raising my eyebrows at his sudden softness. I wiped my eyes harshly with the back of my hands and looked back at the tossed-away pendant with a sad expression.

The phone beside me pinged again, causing both of us to look towards it. Nervously, I took it, sliding it unlock, and found another email from Edward.

I'm coming over.

I gasped. "He's coming over." I rose from the bed, panic erupting inside me while I fixed my hair.

"This isn't right. He can't come over to your house just like that." Hayden hesitantly stood up from the bedside as well, frowning at me knowingly.

"You should go home," I told him, out of breath, while I grabbed my bag, rummaging inside of it to find my cigarettes.

"And leave you to deal with an abusive guy?"

"I-I don't know what to do... He'll think I'm cheating on him, which I technically am." I got up, quickly drawing away the curtains and unlocking the windows to catch any sight of him around.

"I thought you guys broke up," He said, looking frustrated.

"We did, but I don't want him to-"

"Michelle." He stopped, coming towards me and grabbing both of my forearms. "What if he... Pulls the same thing as his crazy girlfriend did? What if he tries to kill you? I can't leave you alone to deal with that only to know the next day that you're dead," He spoke with gritted teeth.

I couldn't speak anything, unable to make sense of the situation. "I don't know... I don't know what to do."

"Michelle he is obsessed with you." He seethed slowly, looking me right in the eye. "Why don't you see that? He's only coming over because he knows I'm here!"

A loud knock on the door outside the living room interrupted us, making me flinch, and I looked towards the door in horror.

"Okay... Okay," I breathed, calming myself down. "If he finds out I'm cheating, he'll tell everyone in my university, and everyone will hate me for it, which they already do, Hayden. I can't let him know!"

"He already thinks you're cheating anyways." Hayden shook his head, trying to explain while gesturing over the phone. "He can see you from that phone of yours. Do you think he's stupid to not keep proof of what you are doing and who you are with? He can use that proof against you, which I'm sure he's here for that," He exclaimed.

"I'm going to cover that camera right now," I huffed, and before I could take my phone, he stopped.

"You can but it's too late anyways," He interrupted.

The door knocked again, sounding louder than before.

I inhaled and exhaled heavily, trying to think of something or devise a plan that would instantly disappear me from the situation.

"You know what, you should call the police," Hayden suggested, his face growing more serious. Calling the police was the last thing I wanted to do because the anxiety that would come along with it the latter consequences would be intolerable for me. And apart from all that, a part of me didn't want to get him in trouble.

"But he didn't do anything," I said, feeling surprised at my evaluation. Haydem inhaled sharply, rubbing his forehead with his fingers. "Yet..."

"So you're waiting for him to make the move before you call for help?" He quipped as if trying to state the obvious, and making me feel stupid about my indecision.

The door instantly clicked unlock outside and my heart almost stopped beating.

"Did he get inside?" I gaped at Hayden and he blinked, not knowing what to do, looking around helplessly just like I was. "How did he get inside?" I whispered to Hayden, shaking my head in a giving-up gesture. He marched towards the nightstand and snatched my phone, trying to get it unlocked.

"Unlock it!" He hissed and before I could, my bedroom door was knocked.

"Michelle?" A voice was followed from outside, and by the sound of it, sounded like a frail voice, that probably belonged to Mum.

Hayden stared at me in confusion and I stared back.

"Hayden hide," I mouthed at him and without a beat, he quickly crawled underneath my bed.

"Mum?" I called out shakily, still not unlocking the door.

"Yes honey, it's me. You weren't opening the door, and I got so worried,"

I quickly unlocked the door, and Mum stood there, sighing in relief at my sight. "D-did you forget the keys back at home?" I asked, trying to block her sight from viewing my room.

"Oh no, I just wanted you to come out, since you're always scooped up in that room. I was just running some errands until I met this young bloke and he being so kind enough, offered me help and a ride back," She chirped casually, waving back at a guy that was sitting in the lounge downstairs and he smiled at us. "He's such a darling for helping me out, so I asked about him and turns out, he's from your class,"

It was Edward, perched on the couch in the living room, in all his charismatic glory, looking back and forth between me and Mum.

"Mum, why did you have to invite him over?" I groaned in panic, apparently mad at her for letting him in just like that.

"Oh, why shouldn't I? That would've been so unmannerly of me not to let him in. I'm sure he could use some good cuppa," Mum said in a scolding tone towards me, her British accent thickening. I nervously smiled at her, trying hard not to meet Edward's fixated gaze. "I want you to come over and help me," She stated before backing away and making her way to the kitchen.

"Come over Shelly," My mum called over again and I had no choice, as I looked back at the bed. I nervously gathered my breath and sighed deeply, pacing out of the room, unable to look behind and see Hayden's struggling state.

I walked down towards the dining lounge, practically ignoring Edward, who confidently sat, his posture straight, and one leg atop of the other. His eyes followed my every move while I nervously went about the kitchen, helping out Mum, and fiddling with the utensils.

"Hey, Shelly." Edward smiled, his eyes held a hurt expression whilst, and I didn't bother answering. I nervously fiddled with my fingers, gulping back the arising uneasiness. I saw Mum giving me the stare, and I mentally grumbled.

The whole situation was as laughable as my life.

My apprehension grew again as soon as I met Edward's eyes, which seemed to pull me in. "How did-" I stopped in my tracks before continuing, "Hi."

Edward knew what he was doing, and I didn't know how I was supposed to feel about him at that point. I had underestimated him and Hayden was right about him. He was making it harder for me to leave him.

Mum came over, bringing a tray of teacups and biscuits splattered on one side, and some muffins on the other.

"Mum you didn't have to-" I told her and she interrupted without a second word.

"I couldn't believe he has been our neighbour for so long," She spoke addressing to Edward, to which he smiled back. "A distant neighbour but still a neighbour anyways. Why didn't you tell me about him before?"

"Tell you what?" I asked anxiously.

"Edward told me all sorts of things about you. I didn't even know you both were great friends," Mum added, looking admirably at him and I suppressed the urge of telling her the exact opposite. Edward knew how he was the kind of guy, with the most flattering disposition, and everyone would be a goner at first sight, and I couldn't blame Mum at that point.

"Yeah." I simply plastered a fake smile, not knowing how to react anymore.

"What happened to your neck dear?" She intruded, looking staggered.

I was too stunned to speak, quickly trying to flip my hair back and hide it. "I don't know... Must be some rash,"

Thankfully Mum didn't push more for information and instead dived into a deep conversation that was distracted by Edward. He casually and effortlessly spoke about engineering studies, and his goals and passions while formally sipping tea. He was always expert at charming people with his boldness and captivating personality -- holding them hostage, the most remarkably skilful way, before it was too late to leave. I could already tell Mum, awestruck by his etiquette, as he literally made drinking tea look like a good sport.

"I'm just tired right now, I'm going to my room." I got up from my chair, not feeling good.

"Why? Is everything okay?" Mum asked, surprised at my dismissal.

"Long day," I said, without looking at her.

Not to mention I was threatened to get killed by Edward's new crazy girlfriend who he had been cheating with me on. All at the same time while he was obsessing over me, and enjoying winning every time considering he has my phone hacked, and knows about all my private things, and most probably could and would -- in Hayden's words -- blackmail me with them.

"Rebecca, can I have a moment with her please?" Edward asked, acting super concerned, and as gullible as Mum was, she agreed.

"Of course. I have to attend a few calls for work but I'll be checking over both of you though," She replied kindly. I didn't bother hearing anything, walking straight ahead with Edward following me close by.

Frustration got the best of me, but the feeling of fearfulness and disappointment overdid everything else.

I entered my room, anxiety creeping into my insides at the thought that Matthew might still be hiding under my bed. I nervously gulped and Edward slowly opened the door, entering without bothering to ask me.

"Michelle," He spoke, as I just sat on a chair, trying hard to keep my frustrated tears at bay.

"What do you want Edward?" I whispered loudly, and he just narrowed his eyes at my harsh tone.

"I just came here to ask why... Why are you doing this?" He breathed, looking at me with an upset expression.

"I'm doing things?" I sniffed. "Your crazy girlfriend..." I trailed off, looking away from him, and biting my lower lip to stop from breaking down. "She threatened to kill me if I didn't stay away from you, so please stop. Just let me go..."

His light eyes darkened as he looked at me in bewilderment and fright. "Crazy girlfriend? Tried killing you?"

"Yes, Hannah..."

Edward looked like he couldn't believe what I was saying, his expression shifting to puzzlement and apprehension. "Hannah?"

"Oh, you're dating your half-sister. I almost forgot," I retaliated sarcastically, and he flinched.

"Please don't speak to me like this." He closed his eyes, holding the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "I don't understand... What are you talking about?"

"Why is it so hard for you to believe anything when it comes from me?" I croaked, my nausea rising.

"Please lower your voice," He warned.

"Why? Are you scared your picture-perfect image would be ruined in front of Mum?" I blurted, quite surprised by my audacity.

Edward neared me and looked closely into my eyes. "No, you're just accusing me of things that I never did."

I scoffed harshly. "You're cheating on me and your girlfriend wants me dead, and all you have to say is that you don't believe me..."

"My sister," He begun, feeling angry, while seething every word. "Doesn't know your whereabouts and I made sure of that. What even did she do?"

I stared at him, unable to believe how he was nonchalant about it. "She... She had this thick pocket knife with her, and I was sure she was trying to hint me onto something, something bad if I didn't stay away from you."

"What?" His frown deepened in thoughtfulness. "Did she say that to you?"

"She didn't! But I know what her intentions were." I looked at Edward from beneath my already wet lashes, partly begging him to make sense of the situation and believe me for once. With a resigned yet teary expression, I turned away from him and inhaled a sharp breath to steady my breathing. I was unable to believe how he was just manipulating this conversation, to prove me wrong. I took a step back, and a tear slipped across my cheek but I instantly wiped it away.

"You don't believe anything anymore..." I let out a shuddering breath, my voice cracking. "I saw it happen, Edward,"

"Please listen to me," He said equally beseechingly, coming over towards me to take my hand in his but I quickly pulled away.

"Why don't you believe me?" I cried again. "Oh... You hacked my phone. You might have some proof of what happened!" I exclaimed manically, getting my phone quickly from the nightstand.

"Hacked your phone?" He repeated lowly, looking at me as if I was crazy, which I probably was at this point.

"Oh, you don't believe that either," I said nervously, but with a crazy tone. "You have everything of mine... All my information... You don't have to pretend you don't, I know it, Edward, I do,"

"What are you talking about?" He returned me a horrified look, still not believing anything I was saying.

"I can't deal with this anymore..." I retracted, seating myself on the bed tiredly.

"Michelle, if I had hacked your phone..." Edward begun, emphasising every word as if that would make me believe him. "Why wouldn't I unblock myself from all your accounts and everywhere?" He said slowly.

I simply stood there, unable to comprehend what he was saying.

"If I had hacked your phone, why would I be sending you emails like a pathetic, desperate, guy!?" He spoke dramatically, motioning his hand towards my tossed-over phone, but I simply shook my head in disagreement.

"I don't trust you anymore Edward... You know everything."

"Are you even hearing yourself talk?" He retorted, putting up a confused look.

"Please... Just leave," I finally directed all my strength and courage into my words.

Edward's weary and partly outraged gaze falls onto me again, taken aback by my interpretations of him, that he found so hard to admit.

He looked around the room as if trying to find something or anything -- or specifically Hayden -- but then turned back to me. "Okay." The clear blue skies in his eyes seemed to have darkened and clouded with hazy emotions.

Just a lot of emotions hovered over me, weighing my already sunken heart. There wasn't any difference between me and Edward at that point. Because here, we both were betrayers. I needed to know he was betraying me, and I was betraying myself now.

Turning around, his gaze fell onto the tossed-away locket he gave me and he stopped there for a minute, his eyes lingering over it a little longer. Lowering his head, he simply left. Leaving me standing, stranded with my thoughts and feelings.

As soon as I heard some small exchange of conversation between Mum and Edward, I heard the door open and close downstairs, indicating he had left.

I quickly rushed back towards my bedroom door and locked it. Bending down and looking beneath the bed, I saw Hayden laying flat underneath silently.

He steadily crawled out of the stuffy bed, dusting off his clothes and fixing his appearance, breathing heavily. "Well, that was intense,"

"Staying underneath my bed or... me and Edward?" I asked, unsure, and feeling embarrassed about how he had to witness our insane outburst.

"The latter of course," He spoke, taking a seat at the edge of my bed. "He's an expert at lying though,"

"I don't know." I shrugged.

"Seriously Michelle?" He sighed, all of a sudden getting frustrated.

Maybe I had a knack for making people frustrated with me. Explained why I was bad at making friends.

"He didn't unblock you just so you wouldn't suspect he's hacked your phone. Please don't tell me you believed him."

"Of course, I don't believe him." I shook my head, trying to disregard any interrupting feelings. "You should've seen his face when I brought that up."

"I wish I could've," He agreed, and I sighed, feeling extremely tired. "You know, I have a plan."

"Plan? For what?" I asked uninterested, not really looking at him.

"Write a complaint to the university administration about Hannah. On how she is a threat to you, and so is Edward," Hayden proposed. "But for that, we first need to get some proof." His eyes shifted downwards from my gaze to my neck, looking in deep thought.

Hayden was right. If I didn't take any action against them, it would only get worse for me. But something about it was off-putting for me and I was afraid that it would be me, who'd end up getting into more trouble. I'd never taken any serious action against anyone like this, because it only stressed me out more about their reaction to it.

But I didn't have any choice now and no matter how much Edward's manipulative lies sugarcoated his intentions, I couldn't let him get to me.