Page 3 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

She rubbed her wrist, a smirk pulling at her lips. “Well,” she said, voice rougher now, “this is already more fun than last time.”

Mano’s gaze stayed locked on her. “I don’t know what your brother told you, but you’re not getting anything out of this.”

Stella raised an eyebrow. “No?”

“You really think Anna’s going to believe you?”

“If you’re that confident… maybe I should send it.” She glanced up at him. “After all, this won’t hurt your little boyfriend… right?”

Mano’s jaw clenched.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” she went on. “She slaps him? Dumps him?” Her lips curved. “Or maybe she tells everyone that while Ody was on vacation with her… he was getting fucked by his black-haired friend.”

The slap cracked through the room, snapping her head to the side, red-copper hair whipping across her face.

“Don’t you ever say Ody’s name again, you filthy bitch,” Mano snarled, his face inches from hers.

Stella slowly turned her head back, pale green eyes locking onto his. A red mark was already blooming across her cheek. Her expression had gone cold. “Don’t you ever touch me again.” She unlocked her phone, and opened the chat.

Anna’s name at the top. The message already written. Hi Anna. I think you should know what your boyfriend did with Mano in Serifos

Mano’s stomach dropped.

“I’ll send it,” she said calmly. “Right now.”

Mano didn’t move. He’d been here before. With Kash. When he wanted to break his jaw but couldn’t. Because the moment he did, Ody would be the one paying the price.

Stella tilted her head, watching him. “See? Now we understand each other.”

Mano exhaled, forcing the anger down. “Let me guess,” he said. “You want something.”

Her silence was answer enough.

“I know what this is about. You want revenge.” He let out a slow breath. “You want to hurt me? Do it. Leave him out of it.”

“Oh, how noble,” Stella mocked. “Sacrificing yourself for your little boyfriend. I’m touched.”

“What do you want?”

She held his gaze. “This never would’ve happened, if you’d treated me better back then. If you hadn’t treated me like the last whore on earth.”

“I told you what it was from the start,” Mano said. “I didn’t lie to you.”

“You could’ve ended it properly,” she snapped. “Do you even remember what you said? What you did right after?”

Mano didn’t answer.

“You humiliated me,” she went on, her eyes burning. “You slept with my best friend. My best friend!”

Mano exhaled through his nose. “We weren’t together. I didn’t lie to you. I didn’t promise you anything.” He paused. “And she came on to me,” he added, colder now. “Maybe choose your friends better.”

Stella let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “You want to know what it’ll take for me to stay quiet?”

Mano said nothing.

“Follow me.” She turned and walked toward the stairs without waiting.

Mano didn’t move right away. Then he followed.