[Iraya]

    I didn''t want to go to school. God knew I didn''t want to. But this was my last year, and ditching wasn''t an option—not with graduation so close. Just a few more months, and I''d be done with this place for good.

    I sat in my car for a moment, gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing anchoring me to reality. With a deep breath, I forced myself to open the door and step out.

    Just attend class and go home. How hard could that be?

    The moment I set foot on campus, I felt it—the weight of a thousand stares pressing down on me like a physical force. Whispers floated through the air, faint but sharp, cutting into me with every step.

    "Is that her?"

    "Yes, that''s her."

    "I can''t believe Lyander cast Stacy and the others aside for her."

    "She''s not even that beautiful."

    "What did Lyander see in her?"

    "I don''t know. She''s not rich and she''s ugly."

    I''m rich and I''m not ugly. I wanted to throw at them, but decided not to waste my time on them.

    The insults continued, each word hit me like a dart, lodging itself deep into my chest. My heart pounded as I walked down the hallway, my head held high despite the rising lump in my throat.

    They didn''t even bother lowering their voices. The gossip wasn''t subtle—it was meant to sting, to make me feel like I didn''t belong.

    My steps faltered for a fraction of a second, but I forced myself to keep moving. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, the sound mixing with the whispers and the occasional snicker.

    It was as though the entire school had decided to dissect me today. Every look, every murmured word felt like a judgment passed down, like I was on trial for daring to exist in their world.

    I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. This wasn''t the first time I''d been the center of attention, but it was the first time it felt this . . . suffocating.

    Lyander''s name hung in the air like a curse, a reminder of the chaos that had landed squarely on my shoulders.

    I wanted to scream at them, to tell them they didn''t know the full story, that they had no right to judge me.

    But I knew it wouldn''t make a difference. Their minds were already made up.

    Kylie let out a bitter laugh. "Don''t lie to me, Jason. You think I haven''t noticed the way you look at her? The way you''ve been acting ever since you two broke up?"

    Jason turned to me, his expression conflicted, like he didn''t know whether to deny it or double down on his anger. "This isn''t about jealousy. I''m just trying to look out for Iraya. Lyander is—"

    "Enough!" I cut him off, my voice ringing out louder than I intended. Both of them flinched, their eyes snapping back to me.

    I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. "Let me make one thing clear: whatever you think Lyander is or isn''t, it''s none of your business. Neither of you has any right to tell me who I can or can''t be with."

    Jason''s face fell, his anger replaced by something softer—regret, fear, maybe. But I didn''t care. Not anymore.

    "And for the record," I continued, my voice steady, "Lyander is a rich prince who showers me with gifts and attention. He ''give me everything.'' And he''s not some hooligan or playboy like you think he is. That''s a lie you''ve told yourselves to make this easier to swallow. You two just don''t want me to be happy. The truth is, I don''t owe either of you an explanation. Not Jason, and certainly not you, Kylie."

    Kylie bristled, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for a retort. When she found none, she turned on Jason instead.

    "Are you just going to stand there?" she demanded, her voice laced with anger. "Say something!"

    Jason looked like he wanted to, but I didn''t give him the chance.

    "You don''t get to act like the knight in shining armor here, Jason," I said, my voice sharp. "Not after everything. You and I are over. You made your choices, and now I''m making mine. So do me a favor and stay out of it."

    "Iraya, you–"

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    Kylie grabbed Jason''s arm, tugging him away. "Come on, Jason. Let''s go. Iraya if Lyander break your heart, you know where to find me okay?" She suddenly shifted and now she was smiling sweetly. "Despite everything, and despite what you think, I still think of you as my bestfriend."

    That''s the first lie she told in new year. Though I didn''t really care much. I knew Kylie. She''s the type who didn''t want others to be happy.

    I stood there, my arms crossed, my chin held high as they walked away. Jason hesitated for a moment, glancing back at me one last time before Kylie pulled him along.

    As they disappeared into the crowd, I let out a breath I hadn''t realized I''d been holding. My chest ached, not from their words, but from the weight of the inevitable confrontation with Lyander.

    I hadn''t agreed to be his girlfriend, let alone his wife. The thought alone made me grit my teeth. My plan was simple: finish college, exact my revenge, and get the hell out of this place. But now, thanks to what I''d said to those two, it seemed like my fate was somehow intertwined with Lyander''s now.

    They must think I was actually dating that arrogant asshole. A part of me wanted to correct them, to set the record straight. But the look of envy on Kylie''s face and the sheer anger in Jason''s eyes? That was too delicious to pass up.

    Let them stew in their own assumptions. It didn''t matter. Once school was over, I''d be gone for good, far away from this town, from Jason, Kylie, and most definitely from Lyander.

    At least, that''s what I told myself.