CJ POV
We’ve already set the trap. Now, all we can do is wait and hope she takes it. If she does… I’ll be the first one celebrating.
Aileen and Dave are finally back, so this is the perfect time to reveal who’s really behind everything that happened in the outside world.
“Bro, I think it worked,” Chris whispered.
I followed his gaze and saw someone entering the room—angry.
“Good. She’s coming straight to us,” I replied quietly.
She stopped in front of us. “Guys… can we talk?” Eliah asked.
“Sure. I also want to discuss something with you,” Aileen said calmly.
“Okay. Meet me at the garden after class.” She walked back to her seat.
We all turned to Aileen. “What was that?” I asked.
“I just want to talk to her. That’s all,” she replied.
Chris narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure you’re not hiding anything from us?”
Before she could answer—
“Sir Jin is coming,” Dave said.
We immediately faced forward.
“Good morning, class,” Sir Jin greeted.
We stood up. “Good morning, sir.” We bowed and sat down.
“I’ll be starting a new lesson today, so listen carefully. There will be a recitation quiz afterward.”
“Yes, sir.”
Time flew by quickly. Before we knew it, class was almost over.
“We’ll move the quiz tomorrow. You may go.”
We started packing our things, but Sir Jin suddenly called out— “Aileen, can I talk to you?”
“Of course, sir.”
“Not here. Follow me to my office.”
“Okay, sir.” She left with him.
“Did you do something?” I asked her earlier, but now she was gone.
Before leaving, she said: “Go ahead to the garden. I’ll follow.”
So we went.
On the way—
“Did you find anything in Naria?” I asked Dave.
He smirked. “You’ll see.”
“Come on, just tell us already.”
“I think you already know.” He looked past me.
I turned.
“Eliah…”
At the Garden
“Where’s Aileen?” she asked.
“Sir Jin called her. She’ll be here soon,” I answered.
She shook her head. “It’s fine. It’s better if she’s not here… she’ll be shocked by what I’m about to say.”
We all exchanged glances. “What do you mean?” Dave asked.
She looked straight at us. “Stop pretending. I know you already figured out who I am.”
Silence. I stepped forward.
“So… you really are Ashley?”
She smiled. “You’re right.”
Chris clenched his fists. “Why did you do all of this? You even dragged Sensei Neo and Sir Kian into your mess!”
She laughed softly. “You’re talking like you’ve done nothing.”
I frowned. “What do you mean? Stop playing games and get to the point.”
She walked around us slowly. “Fine. Let me tell you a story.”
Chris stiffened.
“Once upon a time, there was a happy couple. One night, the girl wanted to break up, but the boy refused. He begged her not to leave…”
“Stop it,” Chris said, his voice tight.
She ignored him. “So he decided to end his life. He stood in the middle of the road…”
She turned to Chris.“…and then a car came speeding toward him. But before it could hit him—another girl pushed him away.”
She paused. “What do you think happened to her?”
Chris was shaking.
“That’s enough!” I snapped. “Nonsense story.”
Her expression darkened. “Nonsense? What if I tell you it’s real?”
Chris stepped forward. “Leave them out of this. You’re mad at me—so deal with me.”
She laughed. “Oh, I am. But I’m also mad at your friend.”
CHRIS POV
How… does she know that story? Sir Neil said no one witnessed what happened that night.
I clenched my fists. “You don’t know the whole truth,” I said.
She smirked. “Then tell us. Or should I?”
Dave and CJ looked confused. “What’s going on?” Dave asked.
“I’ll explain later,” I said.
“If you won’t, I will,” she cut in.
She turned to them. “He’s the boy in the story. And the girl who pushed him… was his girlfriend.”
“Shut up!” I shouted.
She smiled. “See? He’s angry because it’s true.”
Dave stepped forward, furious. “My sister is alive! She wasn’t in any accident!”
Ashley shook her head. “I’m not talking about Audrey.”
Dave froze. “Did you cheat on my sister?!”
“No! That’s not it!”
“Then explain!”
I took a deep breath. “Audrey and I… we were never really together.”
Silence.
“What?” CJ said.
“It was all an act. Her ex-boyfriend was obsessed with her. We pretended to date so he would finally let go.”
Dave stared at me. “Three years… was just an act?”
“Yes.”
Ashley clapped slowly. “Now they know the truth.”
CJ stepped closer. “Then who was your real girlfriend? Is she dead? Who was driving that car? Why are you protecting them?”
I shook my head. “I’ll explain everything… but not now.”
I grabbed Ashley’s arm and pulled her away.
“Let go!”
I released her.
“Are you really this desperate to destroy us?”
She laughed. “Of course. But this isn’t enough.”
“Why are you doing this?” I demanded.
“Did you know she was drugged? That’s why she couldn’t stop the car. It was an accident!”
Her expression broke. “She was like a sister to me!” she cried.
“When my parents died, she was the only one I had!”
Tears fell from her eyes. “So don’t tell me to just accept it!”
I clenched my jaw. “You think I didn’t suffer?!”
My voice cracked. “Every night, I relive that moment. I wished it was me who died… not her!”
Silence.
“My life fell apart. I left Ichi because of that.”
She wiped her tears. “Then you shouldn’t have hidden the truth. She deserved better.”
“You would’ve done the same.”
“Don’t say her name!” she snapped.
“No matter what you say, she’s gone. And it’s all Aileen’s fault!”
My eyes widened. “So that’s why you threatened Sir Kian?”
She smiled coldly. “I was even thinking of sending her a coffin.”
“Enough, Ashley!” I shouted.
“If you want revenge, take it on me—not innocent people!”
She stepped closer. “Then try to stop me.”
“What is going on here?”
We all turned.
Aileen.
“How long have you been there?” I asked.
“I just arrived. Why do you look so shocked?”
“Nothing…”
She walked past me. and went straight toward Ashley.
“Long time no see, Ashley,” Aileen said with a calm smile. “Have you been well?”
Ashley smiled back. “I’ve been waiting for this.”