CHAPTER 28: A NEW ATTACK

The walk back to the university had been a blur—he wasn't even sure what he was doing. That day, Santiago and Semiel had left on their own, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Saval didn't know if it was intentional or if there was simply nothing more to say.

His footsteps echoed against the pavement as he made his way through campus. The sun was setting, painting the sky with fading light. He had never really paid attention to what time night fell, but today, it felt like everything around him was changing too fast.

The sting on his cheek was still there. Antonella's final words still echoed in his mind.

—This isn't over.

A shiver ran down his spine.

He didn't regret his decision, but he couldn't shake the unease creeping over him. He knew Antonella. And if she said something wasn't over, it was because she had something planned.

Saval sighed, pulling his phone out of his pocket. The screen was dark. No messages. Nothing from Antonella, nothing from Santiago, nothing from Semiel. Just his lock screen, a picture of Ado.

It had only been a week since classes started again, so he made his way to a bench and sank onto it, rubbing his hands over his face. His body felt exhausted, like he had run a marathon. In reality, it had been an emotional rollercoaster.

—Damn it… —he muttered, leaning forward, elbows on his knees.

He tried to organize his thoughts, but everything was a mess. He couldn't think straight. He wanted to convince himself that he had done the right thing, that cutting Antonella out of his life had been for the best.

But…

A quiet laugh pulled him from his thoughts. He lifted his head and saw a couple walking past. They were talking, laughing, completely at ease with each other.

Something about the way they looked at each other twisted his stomach.

Antonella used to look at him like that. Like he was the center of her world. Like nothing else mattered as long as she was by his side.

Saval clenched his fists, then slowly let his fingers relax.

That was over. He was the one who ended it.

He couldn't forget what she had done, what she had tried to do—to him, to Semiel, to Santiago. He couldn't let himself get caught up in memories. Not anymore.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up. He hadn't slept in nearly a day, but the thought of going home made him feel even more restless. He didn't want to be alone.

He decided to go to the campus café. Maybe the noise, the voices, the movement of people around him would help clear his mind.

The moment he stepped inside, something felt off. The conversations around him didn't stop completely, but he noticed how some people glanced at him and quickly looked away.

His whole body tensed.

There was only one explanation.

Antonella had done something.

He had no proof, but he knew it.

He ordered a cup of chamomile tea, trying to ignore the creeping sensation that everyone was watching him. When he got his drink, he found a table in the corner and sank into the chair.

Pulling out his phone again, he saw that this time, there was a message.

Unknown Number.

His heart skipped a beat. He opened the message, pulse quickening.

—Don't forget who made you happy.

A photo was attached.

It was a picture of him and Antonella in the library, taken from an angle that made it clear it wasn't a selfie. Someone had taken it without them knowing. They were sitting together, books open on the table. In the image, Antonella was smiling radiantly, resting her head on her hand, while he looked at her with quiet attention.

It had to be from a year ago, maybe more.

His stomach twisted. He deleted the message immediately and blocked the number. Then, he lifted his gaze, scanning the room.

Antonella was playing with him again.

A sudden noise pulled him from his thoughts.

The television in the café had switched channels. The screen now displayed a video. It wasn't a news segment or an ad. It was a clip someone had uploaded to social media.

The title made his blood run cold.

—Every story has two sides.

The screen filled with fragments of conversations, edited audio clips, cut messages. Antonella appeared on-screen, her eyes glossy with unshed tears, her expression wounded.

—I never wanted this to happen… I never wanted to hurt anyone. But some people refuse to accept the truth and would rather paint me as the villain.

Then, the video shifted to a distorted voice recording. Semiel's voice.

—We have to make everyone hate her. It's the only way to win.

Saval shot to his feet, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He looked around, meeting the gazes of dozens of students now staring at him. Some whispered, others looked confused.

She had done it. She had twisted the truth. She had turned the story in her favor.

The air grew heavier.

This wasn't over. Antonella had made her move.

And they weren't ready for what was coming.

Saval swallowed hard and grabbed his phone. He had to warn Semiel and Santiago.

But deep down, he knew the damage was already done.