CHAPTER 2

CLARK’S POV

“Clark, are you just going to let that girl get away with this?” Archer asked.

“Guys, leave her to me. I’ll handle Aurora my own way. Let’s just go,” I said as we walked away through the crowd.

I could hear people talking around us.

“Wow, that girl has guts.”

“I can’t believe she slapped Clark.”

I had class, and I didn’t want annoying questions from any lecturer.

The lecture was going on while I checked a few things on my phone. I had no interest in listening at the moment. There was too much going through my head.

“Clark Robertson, stand up!” Mr. Saltclan ordered.

I looked at him questioningly before sighing and returning my attention to my phone.

“What are you still doing sitting down? Is your seat glued to you?” he asked.

“Apparently,” I replied.

My classmates looked at me in shock.

No one dared cross Mr. Saltclan. He was known for being extremely strict, but that didn’t bother me.

“This class is over,” he announced.

“Aww!” the students groaned as he gathered his books and walked out.

Some students happily rushed out while others remained behind to review the lesson.

I headed to my car and found my friends already waiting. We drove to a club and sat outside, just relaxing and passing time.

I lit my shisha pipe and took a puff.

“So, Clark, what are you going to do about Aurora?” Dylan asked.

“I don’t know yet,” I replied.

“Whatever it is, I hope it’s worth it,” Sage said.

“Trust me, I have something in mind,” I said quietly.

“Hope it’s a clever plan,” Archer replied.

I simply smiled and blew out another cloud of smoke.

**

After spending hours with my friends, I returned home exhausted. I took a quick shower and sat on a small couch.

Then Aurora crossed my mind again.

“How dare she?” I muttered.

No one had ever slapped me except my mother, and now Aurora had done it in front of everyone.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.

“I’ll make sure she regrets it,” I said.

**

AURORA’S POV

It was another morning, and unfortunately Fiona and her daughters were home.

Harper and I attended the same college. She was in Level 100 while I was in Level 300, but she would never offer me a ride.

I prepared breakfast for everyone, and after they finished eating, they left me to clean up.

When I finally left for school, I noticed a black car parked some distance away from the house, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.

**

After a long day at school, I returned home.

I entered my room to freshen up. When I came out of the bathroom, my phone vibrated.

I picked it up and froze.

An unknown number had sent me several personal photos that should never have been in anyone else’s possession.

Fear immediately settled in my chest.

**

CLARK’S POV

I watched from a distance as Aurora stared at her phone in shock.

She looked completely shaken.

Good.

Maybe now she would think twice before crossing me.

I waited for some sort of reaction before eventually leaving.

On the drive home, I kept thinking about the situation.

She had embarrassed me in front of everyone, and I still wanted revenge.

No matter what happened, I wasn’t ready to let it go.

**

The next morning, my lecturer canceled class, leaving me with a free day.

My friends were busy, Mom was away in Bradford, and the house felt unusually quiet.

Then an idea crossed my mind.

I opened my laptop and clicked on Aurora’s contact.

“Looks like you’ve seen the photos,” I typed.

About thirty minutes later, she replied.

“Who are you, and what do you want from me?”

“That’s not important.”

“Please tell me who you are.”

“Just know that I can make your life difficult if I choose to.”

“Please don’t do this.”

I stared at the screen for a moment.

To my surprise, Aurora stopped replying shortly afterward.

She was braver than I expected.

If she knew who I was, she would probably confront me directly.

The thought almost made me laugh.

Later that evening, I called my mother.

“Hey, Mom. How are you?”

“I’m doing great, son. How are things at home?”

“Everything’s fine.”

“Good news. I’ll be back next week.”

“Really? That’s soon.”

“Am I supposed to stay away forever?” she teased.

“No, Mom. I’ve missed you.”

We said goodnight and ended the call.

I leaned back and sighed.

My freedom was about to become a lot shorter.

**

AURORA’S POV

Was that stranger serious?

If those photos reached Fiona, I would be in serious trouble.

Who was this person, and why were they targeting me?

I wanted answers.

But I knew that if I kept begging, whoever it was would only feel more powerful.

So I forced myself to put the phone down.

Still, sleep didn’t come easily.

I spent most of the night worrying about what might happen next.

**

The next morning, I was startled awake when cold water splashed across my bed.

“What is wrong with you?” Fiona snapped.

I sat up immediately.

“Good morning,” I said quietly.

“Forget the greetings,” she replied, shoving her phone toward me.

Her expression was furious.

“So this is what you’ve been doing? Trying to embarrass me and ruin my reputation?”

I stared at the screen.

My heart dropped.

Someone had already sent the photos to her.

“Aurora,” Fiona continued, “you’ve become nothing but trouble. I’m tired of dealing with you.”

Shock left me speechless.

Things had just become much worse.