Semua Bab Married to the arrogant senior : Bab 31 - Bab 40

I stared at the name on the letter again, my fingers trembling. Margaret Harrow. Not Thompson. Harrow.The paper fell from my hand and fluttered to the floor like a dying leaf.“What the hell is this?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.Frank’s expression didn’t change. He stood still, his arms at his sides, like a soldier awaiting orders. That made it worse.“I asked you a question,” I said louder, stepping closer. “Why is my last name on this birth certificate? Why does it say Harrow?”Frank looked down, swallowed, then met my eyes.“I was going to tell you, but… things kept happening. You were pregnant. Then we lost the baby. Then the truth didn’t seem safe anymore.”My knees weakened at his words. “You lied to me.”“I never wanted to,” he said softly. “But your father”“Don’t,” I snapped. “Don’t bring up that man.”He flinched, and I realized how tightly I was gripping the countertop behind me. I forced myself to release it, even though my hands were shaking.“Frank, what’s goi

The silence between us lingered as I tried to wrap my head around everything I had just witnessed. My heart beat like a war drum, and my breath caught in my throat as I stared at Xavier.He looked at me, eyes heavy with a storm of emotion, guilt, anger, and something I couldn't name."What just happened?" I whispered, finally finding the courage to speak.He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he ran a hand through his disheveled hair and let out a long, tired sigh. "You weren’t supposed to see that," he muttered."Well, I did!" I snapped, stepping toward him. "You just beat someone senseless, Xavier. And it wasn’t just anyone, it was the guy who helped you back in middle school. That’s what he said, isn’t it?"Xavier turned away from me, fists clenching. "He crossed a line.""By calling you by your real name?" I folded my arms. "Or is it because he reminded you of a past you're trying to bury?"His jaw tightened, and the vein in his neck bulged slightly. "You don’t understand, Ariell

ArielleThe car ride back was silent. Not the peaceful kind of silence. No, this one suffocated. It curled around me like invisible chains, biting into my skin even though no one said a word.Xavier sat beside me, stiff, his jaw tight, his fists clenched on his knees. Our parents had insisted we ride in the SUV together, like one big happy family, but there was no warmth, no unity. Just cold air conditioning and colder hearts.My mother sat in front, arms crossed, like she’d just won a battle. Xavier’s father was behind the wheel, smug and composed, like he always knew this would happen. They didn’t speak to us. Not even a glance.But I could hear their unspoken words loud and clear.You belong to us. You don’t get to choose.I wanted to scream. Cry. Kick something.But Xavier’s pinky finger brushed mine on the seat. A silent rebellion. A vow. I looked at him, and even though he didn’t turn, I felt the fire still burning beneath his surface.When we reached my house, my mother turned,

Arielle’s grip on her phone tightened until her knuckles whitened. The anonymous message burned into her mind like acid. She could almost feel eyes on her—watching, waiting.“Hey,” Amara nudged her arm, her voice trembling. “You’re scaring me. What’s wrong? Who texted you?”Arielle forced her lips into a thin smile and slipped the phone into her bag. “Nobody important.”But Amara wasn’t buying it. Her brows furrowed. “That look on your face says otherwise. Arielle, if someone’s—”“Drop it,” Arielle cut in sharply. Her tone was colder than intended, and Amara instantly went silent. Arielle sighed. “Sorry. I just… I’m fine.”They continued down the hallway, but Arielle could still feel the heat of Xavier’s gaze on her back, even though she hadn’t looked. She knew he was still standing there, probably fuming, probably replaying her words over and over.And she wanted that. She wanted him to feel the same sting she’d felt when he’d chosen Hailey over her.But the message… that was differe

The ballroom’s energy shifted as soon as the MC’s announcement ended. You could feel the anticipation thickening, like everyone was waiting for something big to drop.Xavier noticed it too. His gaze swept the room slowly, calculating. “They’re circling,” he murmured under his breath.Arielle tilted her head, following his line of sight. Hailey was making her way toward the stage, trailed by her usual entourage—girls who looked like they’d been auditioning for the role of “loyal minion” since birth. Hailey’s sequined champagne dress shimmered under the chandelier lights, but the smirk on her lips was what drew attention.“Here we go,” Arielle muttered.Hailey stepped onto the stage as if she owned the marble beneath her heels. She took the microphone with a perfect smile and the kind of false humility that made Arielle’s stomach turn.“Welcome again, everyone,” Hailey began, her voice honey-sweet. “Tonight isn’t just about celebrating our school’s history and excellence… it’s about hon