Chapter 10

"Please pass along a message to my mom," Jack said, his voice firm but respectful. "I know she's worried, but I need her to understand that I'm an adult now and capable of making my own decisions. I appreciate her concern, but she can't dictate my life or who I choose to be with. The truth is, I've developed strong feelings for Aria, and my engagement to Allison was a mistake - I was pressured into it and don't feel the same way about her. I need space to figure out my own path and relationships without her interference. I'm asking her to respect my wishes and give me the freedom to live my life on my own terms."

Mrs Anita nodded and left.

The excitement was palpable as everyone prepared to head to the music camp, a culmination of their hard work and dedication. Mr. Steven had already made the announcement, and the manager had confirmed the details with Liam and the rest of the group. It was going to be a bittersweet trip, as it would be the last time they would all be together. The final competition loomed ahead, a chance for them to showcase their talents one last time before going their separate ways. The atmosphere was electric, a mix of anticipation and nostalgia, as they all geared up for the ultimate musical showdown.

Jack crept into the room, expecting to find Aria asleep, but instead, she was already awake, her eyes fixed on him with a mix of emotions. Aria's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Jack, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry, Jack. I feel like I've ruined everything. I shouldn't have let my feelings for you grow, knowing you were with Allison."

Jack's face softened, his eyes filled with compassion. He took a step closer, his voice gentle. "Aria, don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong. I ended things with Allison yesterday. I realized I was with the wrong person."

Aria's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. "Really?" she whispered, hope flickering to life.

Jack nodded, his smile tender. "Yes. And I have to be honest with you, Aria. I've fallen for you. Hard. I want to be with you, to wake up every morning with you by my side. Allison was a mistake, a toxic relationship that suffocated me. But with you... I feel alive."

Aria's heart raced, her emotions raw and exposed. She searched Jack's eyes, seeing the sincerity and love shining back at her. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "I've fallen for you too, Jack."

Jack's fingers grazed Aria's cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of her smile. Their noses touched, and their lips almost met, the tension between them palpable. But just as their hearts were about to collide, Ivy's voice shattered the moment.

"I'm leaving," Ivy announced, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.

Aria and Jack sprang apart, their faces mirroring their shock. Jack helped Aria off the bed, his eyes never leaving Ivy's face. "But why?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Aria's eyes welled up with tears. "I thought you wanted to achieve your dreams," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Ivy's smile was bittersweet. "After Daniel left, I felt empty. Like I couldn't go on. Whatever happened to him wasn't fair. There's more to life than this competition."

Aria and Jack exchanged a glance, their hearts heavy with understanding. Jack turned back to Ivy, his voice gentle. "If that's what you want, then fine. But we're wishing you all the best."

Ivy's smile softened. "And I hope you both achieve your dreams... and be together." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Aria and Jack to ponder the fragility of life and the power of love.

As Ivy walked away, Aria and Jack stood there, frozen in thought. They had never seen Ivy like that before - so vulnerable, so lost. They exchanged a glance, and without a word, they knew what the other was thinking.

"Well, that was unexpected," Jack said, breaking the silence.

Aria nodded, her eyes still fixed on the door Ivy had exited through. "I never thought she'd give up on her dreams like that."

Jack took Aria's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "I guess sometimes people need to reevaluate what's truly important to them."

Aria turned to him, her eyes searching his face. "Do you think we'll ever see them again? Leo, Andrew, Leah, Ivy and Daniel"

Jack shrugged. "I don't know, but I hope so. They will always be a part of our lives, no matter what."

As they stood there, hands entwined, they knew that their love and friendship could weather any storm - even the unexpected departure of someone they cared about.

The air was electric with anticipation as everyone packed their bags, eager to embark on the final leg of their journey - the music camp. Allison's eyes kept drifting to Jack, her gaze lingering on him with a mix of longing and desperation. She couldn't believe it had come to this - the final showdown.

The manager's voice cut through the chatter, his words sending a shiver down their spines. "Remember, during this camp trip, the cameras will be live. Every moment, every performance, every drama will be broadcasted to the world."

Aria exchanged a nervous glance with Jack, her heart racing with excitement. David, ever the confident one, was nervous.

The four of them - Jack, Allison, Aria, and David - stood out as the main contestants, the only ones remaining in the competition. The pressure was palpable, the tension between them almost tangible. Who would emerge victorious? Only time would tell.

As they set off for the camp, the cameras captured every moment, every emotion, every interaction. The world was watching, and the stakes had never been higher before.

Liam's whisper was laced with malice as he sat beside Aria, his words dripping with skepticism. "You really know nothing about Jack, do you? His family, his past, his true intentions?" He leaned in closer, his smile a thin veil for his venomous words. "I'm giving you one last chance to see reason, Aria. Don't be blind to the truth. Jack's using you, distracting you from the competition so Allison can win. You're just a pawn in his game."

Aria's smile never wavered, but her eyes flashed with annoyance. "I thought you were a good person, Liam."

Liam's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with insincerity. "I am a good person, Aria. I'm looking out for you. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Aria's voice was firm, her conviction unwavering. "I don't need your help, Liam. And I trust Jack."

As the bus doors opened, Liam's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing in frustration. Aria stood up, her movements fluid, and made her way off the bus, leaving Liam's toxic words behind.

The scene ends with Aria emerging stronger and more confident, while Liam's true nature is exposed, revealing a sinister intent to manipulate and control.

Isa's life was a never-ending nightmare. Her in-laws, who were supposed to be her support system, treated her with cruelty and contempt. But the worst pain came from her husband, Aiden, whose fists rained down on her like a storm. His mother would occasionally intervene, pleading with him to stop, while his father turned a blind eye, his silence a tacit approval of Aiden's brutality.

Isa's 5-year-old son, a constant reminder of her love and hope, was also a witness to the horrors she endured. She felt trapped, unable to escape the prison of her marriage. And then, one fateful day, Aiden's rage consumed him completely. He beat Isa to the point of no return, leaving her lifeless body broken and battered.

In a twisted irony, it was her in-laws who rushed her to the hospital, their faces etched with a mix of guilt, shame, and fear. As Isa's fragile body fought for survival, her spirit was already gone, crushed by the weight of her husband's cruelty.

Mr. Albert's voice trembled with anguish as he gazed at his son, "What have you done, Aiden? What have you done?" Aiden slumped in the chair, his mind numb, unable to comprehend the magnitude of his actions.

His mother's words cut through the silence like a knife, "You beat your wife to death, Aiden! Your son, Elias, needs his mother. Who will care for him now?" Her voice cracked with despair.

Aiden's mother shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "You're just like your father, Aiden. Stubborn and reckless. But this time, you've gone too far."

Aiden's expression darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. "I'll fix this, Mother. I'll make it right."

Mr. Albert sighed, his shoulders slumped in defeat. "There's no fixing this, Aiden. You've taken a life. Isa's gone, and nothing can bring her back."

Aiden's eyes flashed with anger, but for a moment, a glimmer of doubt crept in. He looked away, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need time to think."

As Aiden stormed out of the room, his parents exchanged a worried glance. They knew their son was capable of terrible things, but this... this was something else entirely.

In the silence that followed, Mr. Albert spoke up, his voice heavy with sorrow. "We need to call the police, We can't cover this up."

But Aiden's mother just shook her head, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. "Not yet, dear. Let's give Aiden time to find a solution. For Elias's sake, if nothing else."

Mr. Albert's face contorted in a mixture of worry and disappointment, "My foolish son, when will you realize the gravity of your mistakes? When will you understand the pain you've caused?" His words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of Aiden's tragic downfall.

Aria's voice echoed through the empty corridors as she practiced her song, the melody hauntingly beautiful. But her concentration was shattered by a faint noise coming from downstairs. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to investigate.

As she descended the stairs, she was met with a shocking sight: Allison embracing a mysterious figure. Aria's instincts screamed that something was off. She called out to Allison, her voice firm but laced with a hint of uncertainty. "Allison, what are you doing here so late?"

The man Allison was hugging swiftly hid in the shadows, his presence seeming to vanish into thin air. Allison's expression turned icy, her eyes flashing with anger. "Mind your own business, Aria," Allison said

before storming off into the darkness.

Aria's mind raced with questions. What was Allison up to? Who was the mysterious man? And what did they have to hide? She knew Allison's reputation for cunning and manipulation, and her instincts warned her that something sinister was brewing. With a sense of trepidation, Aria returned to her room, her heart pounding with anticipation. Little did she know, Allison's plan was already in motion, threatening to upend the entire competition.