Her Hidden Secrets

AMARA’S POV

"That’s all. That’s the task Miss Dela Cruz assigned to us. She’s hoping we can finish it within an hour, so let’s not disappoint her," I said.

My gaze swept across the classroom, checking if everyone understood my explanation. Judging by their nods and focused faces, they did.

"Okay, Miss Alcantara," one of my classmates teased, grinning playfully.

I raised an eyebrow, shaking my head with a faint smile before returning to my seat.

I started working on the activity right away. After a few minutes, I was already done. Leaning back in my chair, I let my eyes wander around the room, watching how busy everyone was with their papers. A quiet sigh escaped my lips.

Just two more months, and we’d be leaving this university behind.

My thoughts were interrupted when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and checked the screen.

A message from Seb.

But before I could open it, I froze — because at that exact moment, a memory I’d been trying to forget came rushing back.

---

Cold water drenched me, soaking through my uniform and clinging to my skin.

"Serves you right," Emmy hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "You’re always so desperate for attention."

The bucket clattered to the floor, hitting my thigh with a sharp sting.

"What did I ever do to you?" I snapped, finally losing my patience.

"You’re such a show-off! You always want everything to revolve around you. You even stole my spot as the top student!"

My brows furrowed in disbelief. That’s it? That’s her reason for this? So childish.

"So that’s why you’re mad at me? Because you think I took everything away from you? Why don’t you just try harder to surpass me?" I shot back.

I didn’t say it to insult her. I just wanted her to focus on improving herself instead of hating me. I wouldn’t even mind if she surpassed me.

But it seemed she misunderstood. Her expression darkened further.

"What did you say? You’ll never beat me, no matter what you do! Because I have a complete family — while you? Your mom abandoned you!"

Her words hit me like a slap. Of all things, she brought that up.

"Don’t involve my personal life in your issue with me!" I said firmly.

"Why not? It’s true, isn’t it?" she mocked before shoving me hard and grabbing a fistful of my hair.

"Let go of me! Can’t we talk without fighting?" I tried to reason with her even as pain shot through my scalp.

But she only smirked. "What if I like this? You have no idea how much I enjoy seeing you suffer!"

She yanked my hair again, forcing me to almost kneel on the ground.

"Please, Emmy... let me go," I begged, my voice trembling.

"You’re just a transferee, yet everyone looks up to you! Even my parents are mad at me because of you! I should be in your place!"

She released my hair for a second — then grabbed it again, pulling harder. The pain became unbearable, so I fought back. I grabbed her long red hair and pulled with all my strength.

"You don’t deserve the attention you’re getting! That should’ve been mine!" she cried.

For a second, I saw tears in her eyes — and guilt twisted in my chest. But before I could speak, she yelled again, voice cracking.

"You deserve to disappear from this world!"

I stumbled and fell. Before I could recover, she kicked me in the stomach. Pain ripped through me, stealing my breath.

When I looked up, she was smirking — and behind her stood a tall man holding a piece of wood.

Carlo. Her boyfriend.

My heart pounded in fear. One swing from that, and I’d be fighting for my life.

"Emmy, please. Don’t do this," I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Please?" She laughed bitterly. "You think I’ll pity you? This is my only chance! Once you’re gone, everything will go back to normal — including my parents’ love!"

My hands trembled. Lord, please... help me.

"Emmy, listen to me," I said softly, desperate. "Maybe you just misunderstood them. No parent stops loving their child."

"Shut up! You don’t know anything!" she screamed. "Because of you, they hate me! Being the top student is the only thing I’m proud of — and you took that away!"

"I’m sorry..." I whispered. "I never meant to take anything from you."

"I don’t want your apologies," she spat. "I want you dead."

"Do it now, Carlo!" she screamed.

"Emmy, no! Please—no!"

And then, out of nowhere, a man appeared.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and undeniably strong. Even in my terrified state, I couldn’t help but stare for a second — his presence was powerful, commanding.

Before I knew it, he had grabbed Carlo’s arm, stopping him mid-swing.

"Let go of me, damn it!" Carlo shouted, struggling against the man’s grip.

But he couldn’t break free.

"S-Sebastian," Carlo stammered when he recognized him.

Sebastian turned his gaze toward me. Our eyes met, and I froze. His jaw clenched as he took in my soaked uniform and bruised skin.

"What the hell did you do?" he growled through gritted teeth.

"Carlo, are you just going to let him do that? Fight back!" Emmy shouted.

Before anything else could happen, another person arrived — a woman with long, wavy hair. She gasped at the scene and shouted, "Seb, let him go! There’s a girl hurt here!"

Sebastian shoved Carlo away. "You’re lucky. But we’re not done. Now get the hell out of my sight," he warned.

Carlo stumbled backward, fear flashing in his eyes before he ran. Emmy followed, but not before glaring back at me.

"We’re not done yet, Amara. I’ll be back!" she spat before disappearing.

The woman rushed to me, voice trembling with worry. "You’re Amara, right? What did they do to you? Are you okay?"

"I-I’m fine," I whispered weakly before everything went dark.

---

"She’s the girl you were talking about before, right?"

A faint voice reached my ears as I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was a white ceiling — then white walls. My head felt heavy.

"She’s pretty... and she seems kind," the voice said again.

Blinking several times, I adjusted to the light. Two figures came into view — a stunning woman and a handsome man. They looked familiar, though I couldn’t place them.

"She’s awake, Sebastian," the woman said softly.

She stood from the couch and sat beside my bed. "How do you feel?"

"Water, please..." I croaked. My throat was painfully dry.

"Here, take it slow," she said, handing me a glass of water.

"By the way, I’m Kolin," she introduced herself with a warm smile, "and this is my cousin, Sebastian."

"H-hi… I’m Amara. But why am I here? What happened?" I asked, still disoriented.

"You were being bullied," Kolin said gently. "We rescued you."

Her words triggered my memory — the cold water, Emmy’s rage, Carlo’s weapon. My heart pounded.

"W-where are Emmy and Carlo? What if they find me again? What if they hurt me?" I asked, trembling.

"They’re at the police station now," Kolin reassured me. "The school has taken action, and your dad filed a case against them."

Still, I couldn’t stop shaking. "Where’s my dad? I want to see him. Please, bring me to him!"

"He’s still at the station, Amara. He’s taking care of everything," she said softly.

But panic consumed me. My breathing turned uneven, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Please... I just want to see him," I begged, clutching her hand tightly.

"Sebastian," Kolin called, worry in her voice.

Sebastian stepped forward. His tall figure cast a shadow beside my bed. He placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch steady, grounding.

"Amara," he said in a deep, calm voice. "Look at me."

Slowly, I raised my gaze to meet his. His eyes were dark, serious, and full of something I couldn’t name.

"You’re safe now," he said. "They can’t hurt you anymore. I promise."

For some reason, those words reached deep inside me. My breathing steadied, and the fear faded. His voice carried warmth and certainty — like safety itself.

"Th-thank you… I owe you my life," I whispered as tears continued to fall.

He nodded and brushed the tears away with his thumb.

"What about me?" Kolin said with a playful pout.

I managed a small smile. "Of course, you too. Thank you, Kolin."

Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on me.

"No one will ever hurt you again," he whispered.

I froze, stunned by how sincere he sounded. I didn’t even know him, yet I believed him instantly.

Then, without another word, he pulled me into his arms. His embrace was warm and protective — like a promise.

I hugged him back, no longer caring that Kolin was there watching. All I felt was safety and peace.

He leaned close to my ear and whispered the words that would stay with me forever.

"From now on, I’ll protect you, Amara. I won’t ever leave you."