The rumor didn't stay a whisper.
By the next morning, it had teeth.
Maya felt it the moment she stepped onto campus—
the glances that lingered too long,
the smiles that weren't smiles at all.
"She broke an engagement."
"He left a powerful family for her."
"Girls like that always play victim."
Her hands clenched around her bag straps.
I didn't ask for this.
---
Maya Connects the Dots
Emila found her in the library, staring blankly at an open book.
"This isn't random," Maya said quietly.
"It started right after she came back."
Emila's jaw tightened.
"Shiya."
Maya nodded.
"She warned me," Maya continued, voice steady now.
If you stay with him, you'll get hurt.
Emila reached for her hand.
"So what are you going to do?"
Maya lifted her chin.
"I'm done staying quiet."Adrian Confronts the Past
Across the city, Adrian walked into a glass-walled office.
Shiya stood by the window, sunlight outlining her sharp silhouette.
"You move fast," Adrian said coldly.
"University rumors? Really?"
She turned slowly.
"I told you this wouldn't be clean," she replied.
"You walked away from protection."
He stepped closer, eyes blazing.
"You're hurting her."
Shiya laughed softly.
"No. I'm showing her the truth."
"The truth is you're afraid," Adrian snapped.
"Afraid that I don't belong to you anymore."
Her smile vanished.
"You owe me," she hissed.
"You owe my family."
"I paid my debt," Adrian said firmly.
"With years of my life."
He leaned in.
"If you touch her again… I won't stay quiet."
For the first time, Shiya looked uncertain.The Breaking Moment
That afternoon, Maya was called into the dean's office.
Anonymous complaints.
Questions about "influence."
About Adrian.
Maya listened silently.
Then she spoke.
"My personal life has nothing to do with my academics," she said calmly.
"And I won't apologize for someone else's past."
Her voice didn't shake.
When she walked out, her knees nearly gave way—but her spine stayed straight.
---
Unexpected Support
Outside, Alex waited.
"You shouldn't be alone right now," he said.
Maya managed a smile. "Thank you."
Emila joined them, slipping an arm around Maya's shoulders.
"They picked the wrong girl," Emila muttered.
Across campus, Lila stood beside Max, watching the scene.
"Storm's coming," Lila said quietly.
Max squeezed her hand.
"Then we stand where we belong."The Message
That evening, Maya finally texted Adrian.
> I know it's her.
I'm not scared anymore.
But I need you to fight with me… not for me.
Seconds passed.
Then his reply.
> Always with you.
Never above you.
Never ahead of you.
Maya closed her eyes.
For the first time since the rumors began—
she breathed.Shiya stood alone, watching city lights blur through tears she refused to shed.
"They chose each other," she whispered.
"Then I'll make them choose again."
Far away, two phones lit up under the same sky—
Two hearts no longer running.