Third-Person POV
The music pounded through the house, the party still in full swing, but Elordi’s mind was a storm of chaos. His steps were fast, almost aggressive, as he pushed through the crowd, his jaw clenched tight with the frustration bubbling up inside him. Each step away from Hanna’s room felt heavier, like he was trying to outrun the weight of everything that had just happened. But no matter how far he got, the image of Finn and Hanna—kissing—burned in his mind.
Emily, who had seen Elordi's tense face as he passed, abandoned her drink and hurried to catch up with him. “Hey, what happened?” she called, pushing her way through the groups of people to reach him.
Elordi stopped abruptly, turning to face her. His expression was dark, a flicker of pain behind his hardened eyes. “I talked to her,” he said flatly, his voice lacking its usual warmth.
Emily’s heart sank. She could already tell by the look on his face that something had gone horribly wrong. “And?” she prompted, her tone cautious, bracing herself for the answer.
Elordi let out a harsh, bitter laugh, shaking his head as though he couldn’t believe the words coming out of his own mouth. “And you were right. She liked me.”
A glimmer of hope flickered in Emily’s chest. “Liked?” she echoed, confusion knitting her brows together. “What do you mean, liked? Past tense?”
Elordi’s smirk was full of bitterness, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, past tense. Because apparently, I’m too late.”
Emily blinked, thrown by his words. “What are you talking about?” she asked, her concern deepening. “She wants you, Elordi. You’ve been in her head for years!”
He shot her a sharp look, eyes flashing with frustration. “Really?” he snapped. “Then why did I find her kissing Finn upstairs?” The words practically hissed out of him, as though saying it aloud made it more painful to hear.
Emily froze, her face going slack with shock. “What?” she whispered, disbelief coloring her voice. “She was… with Finn?”
Elordi clenched his jaw, the anger boiling over again. “Yeah. With him. I walked in on them, and they weren’t just talking, Emily. They were kissing.”