Semua Bab His Untold Lies: Bab 71 - Bab 80

KiannaThe ceiling didn’t offer any answers, no matter how long I stared at it. Sleep was a lost cause. After a nightmare that vivid, I doubted my body would ever willingly drop its guard again. A dozen thoughts kept looping through my brain, but they all tangled around a single question: What did he want from me?I traced the shadow of the curtain against the wall, trying to rationalize it. Was it Vince? No. I knew the exact pitch and cadence of Vince's voice; we had been together long enough for me to memorize his every habit—right down to the quiet way he broke my trust with Asteria, my own sister. Whoever had been hiding behind the orchard fence didn’t sound a thing like him. But if it wasn’t Vince, who was it?The sharp blast of the alarm clock cut through the quiet, making me jump.Beside me, Ares groaned and shifted, his arm blindly reaching across the nightstand to punch the silence button. He dragged himself out of bed and walked sluggishly toward the wall, flipping the light

KiannaThe weight of the day began to lift. Tonight was finally happening—dinner at Miaree’s uncle’s restaurant to celebrate our midterm success. Ares was free, the reservation was set, and everything felt perfectly aligned.He hadn't been able to leave work to pick me up, so he’d asked his friend, Kyle, to take me home instead. Seeing a sleek car waiting outside the university gates had caught me off guard, but when Kyle signaled me over, I didn't hesitate.As we merged into traffic, the silence in the cabin felt heavy. I watched the blurred buildings streak past the window, then turned my gaze to Kyle. He kept his eyes fixed on the road, his face a blank mask that gave nothing away."Kyle?" I murmured. "Can I ask you something?"He glanced at me, then back at the road. His expression didn't flicker. "Go ahead. And drop the 'Mr.'—we're friends. No need for that here."I hesitated, picking at the hem of my sleeve. "I’m wondering about something from a while back. When Ares and I had th

KiannaThe valet sign at the mall entrance was a nice touch, but it couldn't prepare me for the restaurant itself. Perched on the 18th floor of a Manila high-rise, the place felt less like a bistro and more like a fever dream of luxury. High ceilings held massive, glowing chandeliers, while light filtered through mosaic glass to bathe the dining room in a soft, shifting warmth.I followed the hostess past a serene lily pond that cut through the center of the room. Its edges were built to create tiny, whispering waterfalls beside the booths. I felt like I was drifting through a palace.“Look at our lovebirds!” Miaree chirped, waving us over to her uncle and the rest of the group.We were ushered into the Chef’s food bar, a sleek space right in front of the open kitchen. The chef sent over a complimentary appetizer to start, and I paired my spicy tuna roll with a crisp sake martini. While the others ordered international dishes, I stuck to traditional Filipino plates.The meal was sensor

KiannaThe scratch of my pen against the notebook paper was the only sound keeping me grounded. Then Mr. Harrison stopped pacing at the front of the room. He tapped my desk, a white slip of paper held between his fingers."Take your things, Kianna," he said. "The dean needs to see you."My throat tightened. I gathered my books with hands that wouldn't stop shaking, the spine of my binder slipping twice from my grip. Why the dean? My mind raced back to yesterday morning—the competition offer. Maybe she just wanted my final answer.When I reached the administration building, the air felt thick and sterile. A woman sat behind the reception desk, mechanically reading off names from a clipboard. I walked up and placed my pass on the counter, my fingers brushing the polished wood.She slid the paper toward herself without looking up. "Take a seat. It's going to be a long wait."I swallowed hard and moved to the vinyl chairs against the wall. Calm down, I told myself, pressing my palms agains

Kianna"You framed me! You bitch!"Vera lunged forward before I could even drop my hand. Her fingers twisted into my hair, pulling back with a sharp, burning yank that sent me crashing into the floor. Before I could bring my arms up to cover my face, her open palm struck my cheek. The crack of the blow echoed inside my skull, leaving a sharp ringing in my left ear.Adrenaline surged, hot and fast. I threw my weight upward, digging my sneakers into the floor, and shoved her off me with everything I had. Vera stumbled backward and fell hard against the lower bookshelf.She scrambled to her feet, her mouth twisted, but I didn't wait. I stepped in and locked my arms around her shoulders in a tight bear hug, pinning her arms down. We went down together, rolling across the dusty linoleum, a mess of tangled limbs, flying elbows, and ragged breathing. Our uniforms rubbed against the floor as we fought for the top position. I managed to twist free, planting my weight to strike back, but Vera sw