Semua Bab His Untold Lies: Bab 81 - Bab 90

KiannaThe campus rumor mill had grown claws. No matter how many threads or anonymous confession posts Marcy managed to scrub from the student boards, the story mutated faster than he could delete it. Links to archived threads popped up in group chats. The whole university was talking about the midterm scandal, and none of them had the facts right.The walk home felt different now. The afternoon streets were hollow, and every distant siren or passing car made the hairs on my arms stand up. I still hadn't told Ares. I couldn't bear the thought of him looking at me and wondering if he’d bought midterm celebration gifts for a cheat. Those wrapped boxes sitting on our counter at home felt like weights now, reminding me of the three weeks I had spent ignoring sleep just to pass.Days bled into each other, and the administration’s official investigation ground to a halt. Classes were suspended until the system breach was resolved. People I barely knew kept cornering me in the courtyard, offe

KiannaThe shrill blast of the alarm cut through my sleep. I rolled over, my arm heavy, and lashed out blindly. My hand caught the plastic casing, sending the clock crashing off the nightstand. It hit the hardwood with a loud crack. When I peered over the mattress, the digital display was fracturing, the number six flickering before dying completely.Too early. It was always too early. I pulled the blanket over my head, trying to slip back into the warmth, but the quiet of the house kept pulling me awake.Giving up, I dragged myself out of bed. My limbs felt like lead as I walked across the room to where my phone was plugged into the wall—a deliberate layout to force myself out of bed, though it felt pointless now. I tapped the screen, killing the backup alert with a sharp click.Outside the window, the world was a wall of black. Not a single streetlight was active on our block. I shuffled into the bathroom, the cold tiles shocking my bare feet. The water felt soothing against my skin

"I'll... I'll take the blame," Vera whispered."Good," Ares said. "Now, I have a specific task for you. You need to pull it off flawlessly, because if you don't, you already know where you'll end up."Vera swallowed hard. "Wh-what is it?""I'll give you the details later. First, you need to fix yourself up. You look like a total disaster." Ares stood up and cracked his knuckles, gesturing toward his men.Before Vera could voice another sob, a thick cloth gag was shoved into her mouth, cutting off her voice. Two men lifted her by her arms. She tried to plant her feet, but her knees buckled instantly under her own weight. Her strength was entirely gone."Mphhh!" Vera grunted, her eyes wide as they dragged her toward the cellar door and shoved her into the back of a waiting transport van.Once the van rattled down the gravel road, Ares walked back to his car. He pulled out his phone and speed-dialed his secretary.The line rang three times before clicking. "Boss?" Kyle answered."Kyle, th

KiannaI stretched my arms toward the ceiling, feeling the tight pull in my muscles before my feet slid out from under the sheets and hit the cold floor. The scent of freshly brewed coffee was already drifting from the kitchen, thick and rich enough to pull me out of my usual morning haze.I was never a morning person, but today felt different. The lingering lightness from yesterday's trip to Tagaytay still cushioned my thoughts. I walked into the kitchen, expecting the quiet hum of our normal routine, but Ares was already by the counter, wrapping up a call. He looked up, his face set in those familiar, rigid lines that meant business."I have a packed schedule today, hon," Ares said, setting his mug down with a sharp click. "Don't wait up for me. I'll order something to the house for your dinner so you don't have to face the stove.""No, don't worry about it," I said, reaching for a cup. "I'm actually in a good mood today. I might cook, or maybe just head out for a bit.""Alright. Jus

"I explicitly stated during the tribunal that you are barred from university property until the cheating inquiry is fully resolved," the dean said, his forearms resting flat on the mahogany desk. "This stunt could expel you permanently, Ms. Ventura."Vera kept her chin tucked against her collar, her fingers locking tightly behind her back. She took a slow, heavy breath to steady her shaking knees, then stepped forward until her shins pressed against the edge of the visitor's chair.The dean tracked her movements, his brow furrowing as he noted her pale face and dark under-eye circles. "Are you alright, Vera?""Dean..." Vera's voice was a dry raspy whisper, barely catching the hidden microphone pinned beneath her lapel. "There's something... I need to confess."The dean leaned forward, cupping a hand near his ear. "What was that? Speak up, please, Ms. Ventura. I can't understand a word you're murmuring."Vera glanced down at the second button of her shirt, swallowing hard. She let out a