Novels by Von Hsuu

Angela's POVAaron stepped closer. Every inch he closed made it harder for me to breathe. The hallway suddenly felt narrower, like the walls had shifted when I wasn't looking. I could smell his cologne, clean, sharp, mixed with something hotter beneath it. Anger, maybe. Or disappointment. I couldn't tell which was worse. There was nowhere to hide. His eyes didn’t give me even an inch of space to run.“I..." My voice cracked. The word came out useless. I swallowed and tried again, but nothing followed. Anything I said would sound like an excuse. And I had none. I’d messed up, badly.“You played me, Angela.” His voice was low, controlled. Not loud. Not explosive. That calm cut deeper than shouting ever could. “All this time… I thought you were different.”Different. The word lodged itself in my chest. I said nothing. Silence was the only honest thing left. “I trusted you,” he continued. “You were the last person I ever thought would lie to me. Hurt me." His jaw tightened. "But I was

Angela's POV“It was Aaron,” I said quietly. “Aaron attacked me.”The room fell silent. I didn’t dare look up, but I could feel the shock in the air. When I finally raised my head, Aaron’s devastated stare hit me like a blow.Across the room, Victoria Bennett smiled—a small, knowing smirk, like she’d already predicted this outcome. Ian had a smug grin too, the look of someone who thought he’d already won.I wanted to punch him, wipe that expression off his face, but I couldn’t. Victoria’s threat and the deal that could save my family had me trapped.“Angela, what are you talking about?!” Aaron’s voice cracked. “I was the one who saved you from Ian!”His words cut deep. Guilt wrapped around my throat, tightening. I’d betrayed him. I’d destroyed him. He protected me, and I dragged his name through the dirt.“Aaron,” Principal Davies interjected, voice calm but firm. “Is that true? Did you try to assault her?”Aaron stood up, but before he could answer, the door swung open. A guy walked

Angela's POVI clenched my fists, trying to hold back the anger rising inside me. "Ian deserved it," I snapped. Victoria let out a soft laugh. "Deserved or not, that's not for you to decide. Rules only apply to people with power. And you and your little friend?""So because we don't have power, we're not allowed to stand up for what's right?" I shot back. "I've heard about your father's company," she continued smoothly. "You know how easy it is to destroy something that's already hanging by a thread, don't you?"I froze. "Are you threatening me?""Threatening you? No, I'm just showing you reality. In this world, the weak only survive when they know their place. But you and your friend crossed a line, and you had the nerve to mess with my family."I opened my mouth to fire back, but she cut me off.“But I’m feeling generous, Angela. I’m giving you a chance. Tomorrow, you testify as the victim. Think it through. The one who almost assaulted you was Aaron. Ian only stepped in to save y

Angela's POVHe didn't say anything. He just looked at me deeply. Then he caught my hand and drew it against his chest. My breath hitched, my whole body frozen under the weight of that moment.“Angela,” his voice came rough, low enough it barely reached me. "You matter to me. I won't let anyone touch you like that. Not ever."My heart was racing. His mouth hovered too close, his breath ghosting across my skin. I should have pulled back, put space between us. But I didn't. I couldn't. A part of me didn't even want to.I didn't even realize my eyes were closing. The world went quiet, like it didn't exist anymore, only the two of us did.But just then, my phone rang, snapping me out of it.I grabbed the phone from the table, giving Aaron a quick glance. “I have to take this,” I said softly, almost like an apology.Aaron simply nodded. I stood up, stepped into the corner of the room, and finally pressed the green button.“Hello.”“Is this Ms. Angela?” The woman on the line sounded tense.

Angela's POVI didn't know what was happening anymore as I closed my eyes, when suddenly his grip loosened on my neck.I saw Ian fall. It seemed that while Ian was focused on me, Aaron attacked him from behind. Ian tumbled to the floor, letting out a moan of pain. Aaron rained punches on him.I coughed, my lungs burning for a real breath. My knees gave out, and I dropped to the floor. Ian... he was going under Aaron's blows, one after another.Aaron finally stopped when Ian was helpless. He approached, his gaze filled with worry. “Angela, hey... are you okay?”I managed only a weak nod. No words came out. The world spun too fast, too terrifying to bear. Aaron pulled me into his arms, like he knew what I needed. "I'm sorry... I should've been here sooner."His warmth hit me like a lifeline, steadying the storm inside. I shook, pressing into his chest, tears soaking his shirt, all the fear I'd been bottling up finally spilling out. He didn’t say much—didn’t have to. I was so damn glad h

Angela's POVOne of my friends came running down the hall, breathless. "Angela! Ms. Miller's looking for you in the art room.""Ms. Miller? Really? What for?" I asked."No idea," he shrugged. "Maybe some project or whatever. You better go see for yourself.""Ugh... fine. I'll go check it out."Seriously, couldn't she pick a better time? I should be heading to the hospital to see Mom… yet, curiosity pushed me down the nearly empty hallway. Almost everyone had already left.When I reached the art room, no one was there. Only messy tables, streaked with dried paint. “Ms. Miller?” I called out.No answer.Either my friend messed up, or she’d already left. I sighed, about to turn away…Then it happened.Before I could reach the door, a hand slammed over my mouth—rough and sudden. I froze in panic.“Shhh.”The whisper brushed against my neck, and I couldn't move. My chest tightened, and panic shot through me.“Don’t fight. Stay still,” he muttered close to my ear.My heart skipped. When he