Angela's POV

He didn't say anything. He just looked at me deeply. Then he caught my hand and drew it against his chest. My breath hitched, my whole body frozen under the weight of that moment.

"Angela," his voice came rough, low enough it barely reached me. "You matter to me. I won't let anyone touch you like that. Not ever."

My heart was racing. His mouth hovered too close, his breath ghosting across my skin. I should have pulled back, put space between us. But I didn't. I couldn't. A part of me didn't even want to.

I didn't even realize my eyes were closing. The world went quiet, like it didn't exist anymore, only the two of us did.

But just then, my phone rang, snapping me out of it.

I grabbed the phone from the table, giving Aaron a quick glance. "I have to take this," I said softly, almost like an apology.

Aaron simply nodded. I stood up, stepped into the corner of the room, and finally pressed the green button.

"Hello."

"Is this Ms. Angela?" The woman on the line sounded tense. "This is the hospital. We need to inform you that Mrs. Jones's condition is very serious, and we need your approval for an emergency surgery right away."

"We can't wait any longer. We need to act now," she added.

Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning. My chest tightened under the weight of what I'd just heard.

"I'll be right there," I said.

I slowly walked back to the living room and found Aaron watching me with a puzzled look. "What happened?"

I lowered my head, trying to hide the storm inside me. The hospital's call kept echoing in my mind. Mom was in critical condition, and they needed my consent for surgery. But how was I supposed to explain all this to Aaron? I didn't want to burden him again after everything he'd done for me today.

"I just remembered something I need to take care of," I said quickly, forcing a smile I hoped looked natural. "I have to go. You can use my car to get home."

Aaron's gaze sharpened. "Is something wrong?"

"No," I said, though even I could hear the nervous tremor in my voice.

"Angela."

I looked up, meeting his eyes. I fought back the tears burning behind them, praying he wouldn't notice.

"If you have to go, then go," he said quietly. "But if you need help-anything-tell me."

My chest tightened even more. There was so much I wanted to say, but nothing came out. I just nodded.

"Thank you, Aaron," I whispered before turning and leaving.

***

The drive to the hospital felt endless. Worry for Mom ate at me the whole way. My mind was filled with worst-case scenarios. I tried calling Dad several times, but like before-nothing. Straight to voicemail. Again and again. It felt like I was facing everything alone.

When I arrived, I rushed toward the ICU. A nurse stopped me at the doors.

"Are you the guardian for Mrs. Jones?" she asked.

"Yes, that's me."

"Dr. Smith, our surgeon, is waiting to explain the procedure." She guided me to a consultation room.

Inside, Dr. Smith stood in his white coat, looking at me seriously.

"Miss Jones, we need to perform emergency surgery to save your mother," he said. "But we need your consent to proceed."

I swallowed hard. "What do I need to do?"

He briefly explained the procedure and its risks, then handed the paperwork to the nurse beside him. She pointed to a small table in the corner.

"Please sign here."

I nodded, grabbed the forms, and signed them quickly before handing them back.

"Thank you. We'll begin preparations right away," the nurse said as she left with the documents.

I nodded again, my heart pounding as I stared at the ICU doors, silently praying Mom would make it.

In the waiting room, I sank into a chair. Thoughts of Mom flooded my mind-her gentle smile, her warm laugh that always made the house feel alive. And now she was in surgery, fighting for her life.

Without realizing it, tears streamed down my face. I wanted her back so badly. Her encouragement, her reminders to eat-every small moment suddenly felt priceless.

I bit my lip to keep from breaking down completely. After taking a shaky breath, I tried calling Dad again. Still nothing.

Needing a distraction, I scrolled through my phone-until a notification made my breath catch.

"Jones Corporation Faces Bankruptcy Amid Financial Crisis."

I reread the headline over and over. Failed projects. Investors pulling out. Dad's company-his pride-standing on the edge of collapse.

My hands trembled. Mom in surgery. Dad's company falling apart. My entire world was crumbling. How was I supposed to handle this?

Lost in the chaos of my thoughts, I jolted when someone called my name.

"Angela Jones?"

I looked up to see an elegantly dressed woman standing a few steps away. Her presence alone seemed to dominate the room.

"Yes, I'm Angela. Who are you?" I asked, my voice tense.

She gave a faint smile. "My name is Victoria Bennett. It's good to finally meet."

My stomach dropped. Bennett. Ian Nathaniel Bennett. Was she related to that jerk? Memories from school flashed-his hands on me, and Aaron dragging him away before anything worse happened.

"What do you want?" I asked, my heart pounding.

Victoria stepped closer, her expression icy. "I've heard about my son, Ian. And your friend, the one who dared to leave him bruised and bloodied."

Angela's POV

I clenched my fists, trying to hold back the anger rising inside me. "Ian deserved it," I snapped.

Victoria let out a soft laugh. "Deserved or not, that's not for you to decide. Rules only apply to people with power. And you and your little friend?"

"So because we don't have power, we're not allowed to stand up for what's right?" I shot back.

"I've heard about your father's company," she continued smoothly. "You know how easy it is to destroy something that's already hanging by a thread, don't you?"

I froze. "Are you threatening me?"

"Threatening you? No, I'm just showing you reality. In this world, the weak only survive when they know their place. But you and your friend crossed a line, and you had the nerve to mess with my family."

I opened my mouth to fire back, but she cut me off.

"But I'm feeling generous, Angela. I'm giving you a chance. Tomorrow, you testify as the victim. Think it through. The one who almost assaulted you was Aaron. Ian only stepped in to save you. You tell that story...and you save your family."

My stomach twisted hearing something that disgusting come out of her mouth. "You want me to frame Aaron?" My voice rose, outrage breaking through the fear.

Victoria lifted a brow, that thin smile stretching wider. "Reality isn't as black-and-white as you think. Do what I ask, and the Bennett family will help keep Jones Corporation from collapsing. And when your mother wakes up, she won't be greeted by the ruins of her life."

My breath hitched. Her words sank into me like ice, making my heart pound even harder.

"But if you don't," she added, brows lifting, eyes full of confidence, "then prepare to watch your family fall apart."

Victoria slipped a business card from her wallet and held it out to me. "Think carefully, Angela. If you change your mind, you can reach me anytime."

She turned to leave, but paused just long enough to throw one last line over her shoulder.

"Sometimes, to gain something big, you have to sacrifice the small things."

With that arrogant stride of hers, Victoria walked away. I stared at her fading silhouette, my hand shaking as I clutched the card.

I wanted to tear it into shreds, scatter it across the floor, anything to erase her threat.

No. I wouldn't betray Aaron. But fear clawed at me. I couldn't let my family be destroyed-not by the Bennetts.

Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. How did my life get to this point?

Time dragged painfully slow. Until the heavy creak of the operating room door made me lift my head.

***

A nurse stepped out of the ICU. "Are you family of Mrs. Jones?"

I shot to my feet and hurried over. "Yes, I'm her daughter. How is she?" I asked, my voice tight with worry.

"Dr. Smith is finishing her post-op notes," she said. "He'll meet you in his office shortly. I can take you there."

I nodded and followed the nurse to the doctor's office.

"Good afternoon, Miss Jones," Dr. Smith greeted as he walked in.

"Afternoon, Doctor," I replied quickly. "How's my mom? Did the surgery go well?"

"It went smoothly. We were able to clear the blockage in her main artery, and blood flow to her heart is stable now," he said with a reassuring smile.

I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me, even though the anxiety hadn't fully left. "Is she going to be okay?"

"She still needs close monitoring, but if there are no complications, her recovery should be good. We'll be watching her closely for the next 24 to 48 hours," he explained.

I nodded again, feeling slightly lighter. "Thank you, Doctor."

A while later, I was allowed into the ICU. The moment I saw Mom lying there with tubes connected to her body, my chest tightened. Her face was pale, drained of every trace of strength. I walked up and wrapped my hand around her cold one, trying to give her some warmth.

"Mom..." I whispered. "Please wake up. I need you."

I knew she couldn't hear me, but I kept talking anyway, hoping somehow she'd feel me there.

***

I barely slept last night. After Mom's surgery, my mind wouldn't stop spinning. Dad's company, Victoria Bennett's threat, and the disciplinary hearing at school this morning-all of it tangled inside my head.

The school had contacted Dad to inform him about the assault incident. The moment he heard, he looked terrified. He wanted to come to the hearing today, but I convinced him to focus on the company and Mom instead.

Now I was sitting in the school's disciplinary room. Principal Davies stared at me with sharp eyes, the long table between us feeling like a barrier.

Across the room, Ian sat with his mother, Victoria Bennett-calm and confident. Aaron was in another corner with his mom, Sarah. Both Aaron and Ian still had bruises from last night.

"Angela," Principal Davies finally said, breaking the silence. "We've received a report that you were almost assaulted. We need to hear directly from you. Who did this?"

My hands trembled in my lap. The memory hit me like a punch-Ian's cold stare, his rough hands, the fear choking me. And Aaron, who rushed in, stood up to him, and got beaten for it.

I lowered my head, my voice stuck in my throat. Everyone waited for my answer. I knew whatever came out of my mouth would change everything. Truth-which would destroy Dad's company and Mom's safety. Or a lie-which would destroy Aaron.

I looked at Aaron. At the bruises he earned protecting me. But if I told the truth, Victoria Bennett would crush my family without hesitation.

I clenched both my hands and forced myself to speak.

Angela's POV

"It was Aaron," I said quietly. "Aaron attacked me."

The room fell silent. I didn't dare look up, but I could feel the shock in the air. When I finally raised my head, Aaron's devastated stare hit me like a blow.

Across the room, Victoria Bennett smiled-a small, knowing smirk, like she'd already predicted this outcome. Ian had a smug grin too, the look of someone who thought he'd already won.

I wanted to punch him, wipe that expression off his face, but I couldn't. Victoria's threat and the deal that could save my family had me trapped.

"Angela, what are you talking about?!" Aaron's voice cracked. "I was the one who saved you from Ian!"

His words cut deep. Guilt wrapped around my throat, tightening. I'd betrayed him. I'd destroyed him. He protected me, and I dragged his name through the dirt.

"Aaron," Principal Davies interjected, voice calm but firm. "Is that true? Did you try to assault her?"

Aaron stood up, but before he could answer, the door swung open. A guy walked in-Jayden, the friend who called me to the art room last night.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said. "I... I want to give a statement."

Principal Davies leaned forward. "Go ahead, Jayden. Who asked you to lure Angela to the art room? Was it Aaron or Ian?"

Jayden froze. His eyes flicked toward Ian. Ian looked uneasy now, his smirk fading.

But then Jayden looked away.

"It was Aaron, sir."

The room erupted instantly.

Victoria Bennett's smile stretched wider, like she had just cornered her final chess piece.

"That's not true!" Sarah shot to her feet, her voice shaking. "Aaron would never do that!"

"Angela," Sarah turned to me, her eyes filled with pain, tears streaming down her face. "You know him. You know this isn't true. Please... please tell them."

I stared at my lap, unable to meet her eyes. Her tears only made the guilt worse.

Victoria rose, her voice cold and commanding. "Principal Davies, I'm sure you know what needs to be done. Aaron is a danger to this school. Justice must be served."

Principal Davies sighed heavily. "Aaron, your actions violate this school's rules and values. We cannot overlook this."

"So, I have to inform you that you're being expelled from the school effective immediately."

"What?!" Sarah screamed. "This isn't fair! You can't destroy Aaron's future!" She collapsed back into her seat, sobbing uncontrollably. Aaron tried to hold her, trying to calm her down.

It was all my fault. I had done this to him.

I couldn't take it anymore. I bolted out of the room, lungs burning, chest tight.

I didn't want to hear anything else. Why did all of this have to happen to me? I just wanted to be honest. I just wanted to be safe. Why was that so hard?

The hallway felt suffocating. I sank into a corner, burying my face in my knees as tears kept pouring. I wanted to disappear.

Then I heard footsteps approaching-slow, deliberate.

"So this is where you've been," a voice said.

I lifted my head and saw Evelyn, Caroline, and Brianna standing in front of me. Evelyn smiled, sharp and cruel.

"Tough day, huh?" she said mockingly. "Almost assaulted? Who would've thought Aaron could go that far?"

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. "What do you want?"

Evelyn crouched down and tossed an envelope onto the floor in front of me. "Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to settle our little bet."

I froze. The weight of her words pressed down on me. The bet. The stupid dare she gave me-to make Aaron fall for me in exchange for a ton of money.

"Congrats," Evelyn smirked. "You won. You got him to fall for you, hard enough to lose his damn mind."

"Leave me alone, Evelyn," I muttered.

"Does he even know you only went after him because of a bet? Is that why he snapped and almost assaulted you?" she taunted.

"A bet? What bet?" A familiar voice echoed behind us.

I jolted to my feet.

"Angela." Aaron's voice was low, but it cut straight through me. "What the hell is going on?"

I froze, breath catching in my throat. "Aaron..." I whispered. I tried to steady myself, but my heartbeat was so loud it drowned out everything else. My knees felt weak, barely holding me up.

The secret I'd buried so deep... was out. I never thought it would come out like this. I'd already hurt Aaron enough. If he found out about the bet-I would destroy him completely.

Evelyn smirked wide, the kind of smile meant to humiliate. "Oh, this is interesting," she said, glancing at her friends before looking back at me. "Let me guess. Aaron still doesn't know about our little bet?"

I shot her a sharp glare, mouth opening, but nothing came out. My mind was spinning, desperately searching for a way out of this nightmare.

"Aaron," Evelyn went on, "Angela only got close to you because of a bet we made. Do you really think she was interested in a broke nobody like you?"

"Evelyn!" I snapped, but my voice came out thin and shaky-more like a plea than a warning.

"So I was just a game to you, Angela?" Aaron asked quietly, but I could hear the hurt beneath every word.

My chest tightened with guilt so heavy it felt suffocating. I couldn't lie anymore-not when everything was already falling apart. For a moment, the world went silent around us. I wanted to deny it, but the truth was what it was.

Evelyn's laugh broke the stillness. "Oh, Aaron. You actually trusted her? She's been playing you this whole time."

But then her laughter died the moment Aaron turned and shot her a look sharp enough to cut glass.

"Shut up," he said, voice low and commanding. "Leave."

Evelyn froze, then forced a shrug. "Fine. We're leaving."

She turned away, her friends trailing behind, leaving the air feeling ten times heavier.