CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69

Rhea ran down the aisle, clutching her chest. Her breath caught as she struggled to breathe.

She stumbled to the ground, leaning on the wall outside the faculty building, her breathing shallow.

I didn’t do any of that. Why is everything like this?

Rhea’s mind flashed to the gazes of her classmates, to Luke’s gaze, and then to Tia’s. A wave of nausea hit her, and she turned to her side, falling to her knees and vomiting.

I didn’t mean for you to find out like this. From others, in this despicable way. She pressed her head into her arms, resting on her knees with her back to the wall. I wanted to tell you and explain everything when I started understanding what has been happening to me.

"It gives me pleasure to see you crumble and struggle." Zack’s words echoed in her skull, as another wave of disgust moved through her, pushing her to vomit again.

Rhea leaned back on the wall, breathless and tired.

Why is Athaliah doing this? I have never even known her, and yet she seems to hate me so much.

She thought, wiping her lips, then pressed her palm into the wall, pulling herself up.

The rumors about me and Zee have been twisted, and because of that, I can’t be anywhere near him. Her gaze moved to a window on the top floor of the school building. It would cause him problems.

Her hands tightened around her bag strap until her knuckles turned pale, and she turned towards her car.

I just need to talk with Tia first and tell her everything.

She started peeling her clothes off as she stepped into the apartment, headed straight to her bathroom for an excruciatingly cold bath.

By the time Rhea was done and stepped out, Tia was already seated, waiting for her in her room.

Rhea’s heart skipped, and a little pang of hope and relief washed over her.

"Tia," she called softly, almost in a whisper. Her steps carried her toward her.

Tia raised her hand. "I’d prefer you stay at a distance," she said, stopping Rhea.

From that single gesture, Rhea’s expression sagged, as if the weight of the world had just landed on her.

She has every right to be like this. I’ll just explain.

"So for how long have you and him," Tia shut her eyes, biting down on her teeth, "Mr. Zeenare, been having a thing?"

Rhea swallowed, chewing the inside of her cheek.

"Are you not going to speak, Rhea?" Tia said abruptly, with a scowled expression. "You owe me an explanation!" she blustered with wide eyes.

"I-I- know," Rhea stuttered hurriedly, moving toward her.

But Tia pulled away. "Then speak!" she uttered throatily.

"We were together throughout the holiday. But it’s not what you think," Rhea tried explaining.

Tia smirked, then scoffed. "Was there ever any internship?"

Rhea’s words died in her mouth. She could feel the hurt from Tia’s words.

"No."

"What a joke," Tia spat.

"Tia, listen to me. I can explain."

"Explain?" Tia roared. "Explain what, exactly? That you lied to me so you could spend the holiday with him, while pretending to hate him?"

"No, it wasn’t like that," Rhea tried to say more.

But Tia cut her off. "That you lied to me about some stupid confidential crap just so you could hide your disgusting affairs."

"No, that’s not what happened, Tia, let me explain." Rhea grabbed onto Tia like a lifeline, her eyes pleading.

"What is it you have to say, Rhea? While I was bashing him for you, you were busy sleeping with him. I guess he’s the one who got you that car, right?" Tia asked in spite, pulling her arm from Rhea’s grip.

Rhea didn’t reply, her silence confirming her question.

Tia scoffed, shaking her head. Then she exhaled. "I truly want to hear what you have to say, Rhea. But you treated me like a fool. I thought I was your best friend—your sister even. But it turns out I was the only one thinking that."

"No. No. No. You are the most important person in my life, Tia. Please, I beg you, don’t say this." A heaviness settled in her eyes, dimming their usual light.

"Not only did you blackmail people, you are also a fucking liar. Only god knows how many lies you have feed me and how many I don’t know." Tia said nothing for a while, scanning Rhea. "Athaliah was right all along. And now I see you for your true self." Her brows dipped together as though holding back tears.

Tia walked to the door, then turned to Rhea. "I want you to do me a favor, Rhea."

Rhea waited for her to continue, her eyes fixed on her.

"Let’s not talk from now on. I need space and time to think." She then stepped out.

The door clicked shut behind Tia, and the sound echoed through the apartment like a gunshot. The silence that followed was louder than any shout. The air felt heavy, still clinging to the words they had exchanged.

Rhea remained on her knees, staring at the closed door. Her lower lip quivered, betraying the composure she tried to hold. She crumbled to her knees, a sigh escaping her lips. Her heart had sunk, her friendship had shattered, and her school life was now in shambles.

It’s my fault, she thought, the words a cold knife twisting in her gut. I did this to us. She was right. I was a terrible friend.

Tears began to fall, hot and stinging, and her whole face collapsed into grief, like a fragile mask breaking apart. Her sadness was so stark it felt carved into her skin, impossible to erase. Her features crumpled, raw anguish spilling through her expression.

"I shouldn’t cry. I shouldn’t cry," she recited like a mantra, wiping the tracks of tears off her cheeks, but the words were useless.

The silence echoed in her once-warm room, which had always beamed with their laughter and plans. But it had now turned into a frozen, abandoned space.

"Yes, you are right. You shouldn’t cry." Zeenare’s voice echoed from the window, startling Rhea to her feet.

She glanced at him, then turned away, sauntering to her bed. "Why are you here?" she asked with bated breath.

"I heard what happened." He strode towards her, his face housing a concerned look. "But before I could get to you, you were already by your car."

He paused, giving her a moment. "It’s all over the school," he said, his voice softer. "I couldn’t just leave you alone."

I can’t tell her I saw her crumbling by the door; she would feel more powerless and exposed, Zeenare reasoned.

Rhea’s body shuddered. Her shoulders began to shake, and a soft, choked sob escaped her lips. She didn’t want him to see this—didn’t want anyone to see her this powerless. She raised her hands to her face, a vain attempt to hide the raw grief threatening to consume her.

Zeenare was at her side in an instant. He didn’t say a word, didn’t try to touch her. He just stood there, a quiet, solid presence. She felt his arm drape lightly over her shoulders, a gentle weight that didn’t force her, but offered a choice. The silence stretched between them, thick with the weight of everything she had endured.

The dam broke. The first tear that escaped was warm and stinging, a prelude to the torrent that followed. Her hands fell, and she crumpled, sinking to the bed as a raw sob tore from her chest. Zeenare lowered himself with her, pulling her close and into his arms.

He didn’t try to stop the crying, didn’t make her talk. He just held her, a steady anchor in a world that had crumbled.

"It’s okay, Rhea," he whispered, his voice a low rumble against her ear. "Just let it out. You’ve held on for so long."

She buried her head in his shoulder, her knuckles white as she clung to his shirt. She cried for the friendship she had lost, for the reputation that was in tatters, and for the fear that had been her only companion. She cried for the rage and the humiliation and the profound loneliness.

She cried until her body ached, the tears a hot river of all the pain she had tried to swallow.

Zeenare simply held her, his other hand stroking her hair. "You were so strong," he whispered. "You did well. You’ve done so well."

And for the first time since this nightmare began, in the quiet solitude of her room, Rhea didn’t have to be strong.

Slowly, the tears subsided. Rhea’s body was wrung out, but her mind was clearing. She pulled back slightly, her gaze settling on the floor. The grief was still there, but it was no longer a storm. It was a dull ache. It was a cold anger.

A new thought formed in her mind, a spark of clarity. Crying wouldn’t solve this. Hiding wouldn’t fix it. Rhea knew she had to fight back.