Lahat ng Kabanata ng His Untold Lies: Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

KiannaThe gray light of dawn slowly leaked through the kitchen window. Outside, the sun was trying to crawl over the jagged outline of the distant mountains, but the thick morning mist held it back. The street lamp at the corner flickered off as the road brightened, completely empty and still. A few dried yellow leaves drifted down onto the pavement, and far down the lane, the dark shapes of two street vendors pushed their heavy bicycle crates through the fog.I kept my eyes fixed on those moving shapes, my hand frozen over my coffee mug. The raw, icy terror from that alleyway last night was still thumping behind my ribs. No matter how many times I told myself it was just an exhaustion-induced daydream, my pulse wouldn't slow down."Hon, are you okay?"Ares’s voice broke the quiet. He stepped into the kitchen, his brow furrowed as he looked down at my untouched plate. "You're completely spaced out today. Is something bothering you?""No," I said, my voice cracking slightly. I pulled m

KiannaThe afternoon air in Laguna carried a sharp, biting chill. The late November wind howled between the buildings, sweeping up dried leaves as the sun began its descent behind the clouds. It was nearly 4:30 p.m., casting a deep amber and crimson tint across the sky.I pulled my jacket tighter around my frame, my boots clicking against the pavement as I walked toward the grocery market. I needed to pick up dinner supplies and a cake. Today marked exactly one year since I first met Ares in that Manila hotel room.I should have felt a sense of relief, but a cold weight settled deep in my stomach. What if he leaves when our two-year agreement ends? The memory of his strained face at the beach flashed in my mind—his admission that he lacked the courage to tell me something. What if he was just waiting for the clock to run out on our marriage contract?I stopped outside the market entrance, shaking my head violently to clear the thoughts. Ruminating like this would only undo the progress

KiannaI pulled back first, letting my arms drop from his waist once the tightness in my chest eased. I looked up at his face and forced a small, tentative smile."Hey. Do you know what day it is?"Ares narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing as he looked down at me. "Today? It's Sunday, hon.""Seriously?" I pouted, my fingers tightening against his shirt. "You really don't know?"He scratched the back of his neck, a look of sudden realization washing over his face before he wrapped his arms around me again. "Oh, right! I'm so sorry, Kianna. I’ve just been so buried in work lately. I promise I'll make it up to you." He squeezed my shoulders. "I can't believe I forgot your birthday."My breath hitched, and a sudden surge of heat rushed to my face. I shoved his chest with both hands, breaking out of his grip, and stepped back with my arms crossed tightly over my chest. My birthday? He didn't even know my birthday?"What did you just say?""I said I'm sorry," he said, reaching out to catch

KiannaThe dean snatched the receiver of her desk phone with a swift, sudden movement. She punched in a short extension and held the plastic to her ear, her eyes drilling into mine."It's me," she said, her voice sharp and cutting. "Instruct the faculty heads to prepare the announcement immediately. Every student needs to see it. Make sure they know Ms. Saavedra is the new ace.... Yes, by this afternoon.... Excellent. I will leave the logistics to you, Mrs. Vega."She slammed the phone back onto the cradle.My knuckles turned white against my bag. The new ace? I stared at her, trying to make sense of the phrase. Did this university really care that much about exam scores? I remembered rumors about the last person who held that title—a transfer student from another university who treated everyone like subhumans. She had eventually moved on to a different school, which had been a massive relief to the entire student body, but the memory of her arrogance still lingered in the hallways."M

Kianna"What exactly am I supposed to do for her?" I asked.The air in the empty corridor felt heavy. A sharp prickle of suspicion hit me. The administration was framing this as a second chance for Vera, but the layout felt completely engineered. I couldn't shake the thought that the dean was pulling strings behind the scenes to force a specific outcome. Had Vera somehow managed to manipulate them all?"Your only responsibility is to act as her partner," Mrs. Vega said, adjusting the folders in her arms. "You will guide her through the project layout. Think of this as your first official assignment as the university Ace."My eyes narrowed at the word. "An assignment? The dean knows what happens when Vera and I are in the same room. We can't stand each other. Why should I lift a finger to help the person who systematically tried to ruin my reputation last week?""I understand your hesitation, Kianna, but this is a direct order from the board," Mrs. Vega said, her voice dropping to a cal