Meanwhile, across the gym, Ciara watched with an expression of feigned concern as she recounted her version of the story to Marco. She whispered just loud enough to draw him in, her words slipping with the perfect mix of hurt and urgency.
“Marco, I thought you deserved to know,” she said, placing a sympathetic hand on his arm. “I saw Hanna with Finn. It was… more than just talking. She kissed him. It’s been going on for a while, I think.”
Marco’s face turned dark, his jaw clenching as Ciara’s words took hold. He searched her face, looking for any sign of deceit, but Ciara only widened her eyes, her expression the perfect mask of sincerity.
“Why didn’t she tell me?” Marco whispered, a mixture of hurt and anger coloring his tone.
“Maybe she thought you’d never find out,” Ciara replied, tilting her head with a small, sad shrug. “But I thought you deserved better than that. You should know the truth.”
Without another word, Marco turned and stalked across the dance floor, his steps quick and purposeful. His gaze locked on Hanna and Finn, standing together in the dim light, their heads close as they talked quietly. Hanna glanced up just as Marco approached, her heart dropping as she caught the look of fury on his face.
“Marco—” she started, but the fury in his eyes stopped her.
“I think I’ve heard enough,” he said, his voice loud enough to draw the attention of people nearby. “I trusted you, Hanna. And all this time, you’ve been sneaking around with him.”
Hanna’s face paled as the music quieted and heads began to turn. She opened her mouth to explain, to deny it, but the intensity in Marco’s glare left her speechless. Finn stepped forward, his hand raised in a calming gesture.
“Marco, let’s talk about this outside,” Finn said, his tone calm but firm. “This isn’t the time or place.”
But Marco wasn’t hearing any of it. His voice rose, echoing across the gym as he turned to Finn. “You think you can just steal my girlfriend and act like you’re innocent? I’m done with both of you. You can have her, Finn, and let’s just see how long she’ll keep being loyal to you. You can’t make a wife out of a slut, that sort of thing.”
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as the students around them watched the unfolding scene with a mix of shock and excitement. Hanna’s heart pounded, and she barely had time to process what was happening as Marco stormed off, leaving her standing in the center of the crowd, exposed and humiliated.