The next day…
Lia couldn't focus.
Not in class.
Not during lunch.
Not even when Ava tried talking to her.
Her mind kept replaying everything.
Ethan's silence.
Ryan's words.
That voice in the hospital.
Mr. Carter already covered the expenses…
Her fingers tightened around her book.
"…No."
But this time—
She didn't sound convinced.
The classroom felt suffocating.
Ethan was there.
As always.
But today…
He didn't even look at her.
That annoyed her.
More than it should.
Why is he acting like nothing happened?
Lia suddenly stood up.
"I need air," she muttered and walked out before the teacher could stop her.
She walked quickly through the hallway…
Past the stairs…
Past the offices…
Until she stopped.
The medical wing.
Her heart started beating faster.
"…I just need to confirm," she whispered.
She slowly walked closer.
The door wasn't fully closed.
Voices came from inside.
"…Yes, Mr. Carter insisted we keep it confidential."
Lia froze.
Another voice replied,
"It's not every day someone pays that much just to stay anonymous."
Her breathing stopped.
"That girl's family was lucky."
The file in Lia's hand slipped slightly.
Her heart pounded violently now.
Mr. Carter…
Paid…?
Before she could think—
The door suddenly opened.
A nurse stepped out and noticed her.
"Oh—student? Do you need something?"
Lia forced herself to stay calm.
"…Yes."
Her voice was steady.
But her heart wasn't.
"I… I just wanted to ask…"
She hesitated.
Then asked—
"The emergency surgery last week… the one for Mrs. Thompson…"
The nurse blinked.
"Oh, that case…"
Lia swallowed hard.
"…Was it really a free program?"
Silence.
The nurse's expression shifted slightly.
Just enough.
"…Who told you about that?"
Lia's heart dropped.
"That means… it wasn't?"
The nurse hesitated.
She wasn't supposed to say anything.
But Lia's eyes—
They were desperate.
Broken.
"…It was funded privately," the nurse said quietly.
Everything went silent.
"…By who?" Lia whispered.
The nurse looked around, then lowered her voice.
"I shouldn't be saying this…"
Lia stepped closer.
"Please."
A pause.
Then—
"…Mr. Carter."
Lia froze completely.
Ethan Carter.
Her mind went blank.
"No…"
Her legs felt weak.
"No… that's not possible…"
Everything started replaying in her head—
His silence.
His actions.
That night.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"…Why?"
"Lia!"
Ava's voice echoed down the hallway.
She ran toward her, panic all over her face.
But the moment she saw Lia's expression—
She stopped.
"…You know."
It wasn't a question.
Lia slowly turned to her.
Her eyes filled with confusion… and pain.
"You knew?"
Ava's lips parted.
"…Lia—"
"You knew?!"
Her voice broke.
Ava stepped closer. "I was going to tell you—"
"When?" Lia shouted.
"After I completely hated him?!"
Silence.
Ava had no answer.
Lia stepped back, shaking her head.
"He paid for my mom's surgery…"
Her voice trembled.
"…and I…"
She covered her mouth.
Tears falling freely now.
"I blamed him."
Ava's heart broke seeing her like this.
"He told them not to tell you," Ava said softly.
"He didn't want you to feel—"
"—indebted?" Lia cut in.
Silence.
Her laugh came out broken.
"So he just let me hate him?"
Ava didn't respond.
Because that was exactly what happened.
That night…
Lia sat on the floor of her room.
Her back against the wall.
Her eyes empty.
Everything she believed…
Was wrong.
Ethan wasn't just the boy she hated anymore.
He was something else.
Something she didn't understand.
"…Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered into the silence.
Her heart felt heavier now.
Not just with grief.
But with guilt.
And somewhere in the city—
Ethan stood alone.
Unaware…
That the truth had finally reached her.
The morning felt heavier than usual.
Not because anything was wrong outside…
But because everything inside Lia had shifted.
She walked into Silvergate Academy slowly.
Same hallways.
Same noise.
Same faces.
But she felt different now.
Because she knew something she wasn't supposed to know.
Ethan Carter…
Paid for her mother's surgery.
Not the hospital.
Not a program.
Him.
Her fingers tightened around her bag.
"…Why would you do that?" she whispered to herself.
And worse—
Why hide it?
When she entered the classroom, everything slowed for a second.
Ethan was already there.
As usual.
But today…
Lia looked at him differently.
Not softer.
Not warmer.
Just… confused.
Ethan felt it immediately.
Something was off.
Her gaze wasn't the same hate-filled one from before.
But it wasn't forgiveness either.
It was something in between.
And that unsettled him more than anything.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…What?" he asked quietly.
Lia blinked.
Then looked away.
"…Nothing."
But her voice didn't match her eyes.
Ava leaned closer during break.
"You've been staring at him all morning."
Lia stiffened.
"I'm not."
Ava sighed.
"You are."
Lia didn't respond immediately.
Because she didn't even understand herself.
"I just… don't understand him anymore," Lia finally said.
Ava went quiet.
Because she knew exactly why.
But she still couldn't say it.
Not yet.
Ryan appeared beside her desk again, like always.
But this time, he didn't smile.
"You look different today," he said.
Lia glanced at him.
"How?"
Ryan studied her carefully.
"…Like something changed."
She didn't answer.
Because he was right.
Something had changed.
Just not something she could explain yet.
Ryan placed a small drink on her desk again.
"You forgot this yesterday."
Lia hesitated.
Then took it.
"…Thanks."
For a second—
Ryan smiled slightly.
But his eyes shifted toward Ethan.
And the smile faded.
Ethan watched everything.
Ryan.
Lia.
The silence between them.
But what bothered him most…
Was Lia not reacting to him anymore.
Not hatred.
Not anger.
Just distance.
"…What did she find out?" he muttered under his breath.
For the first time—
Ethan Carter looked uncertain.
After class, Lia walked alone down the corridor.
Lost in thought.
She stopped near the window.
Outside, students were laughing. Living.
But inside her…
Everything was tangled.
He helped us…
He lied about it…
Why would someone do that?
Her fingers slowly curled.
"…I don't know if I should hate you anymore," she whispered.
She froze immediately after saying it.
"What am I saying?"
But deep down…
That sentence scared her more than anything else.
She didn't notice him walking up.
Not until he spoke.
"…You've been acting strange."
Lia turned quickly.
Ethan was standing right behind her.
Close.
Too close.
Her heart skipped slightly—but she hid it quickly.
"…I'm fine."
Ethan didn't believe her.
Of course he didn't.
"You're lying," he said simply.
Lia frowned.
"Why do you care?"
Silence.
That question hit differently.
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
His expression tightened slightly.
"…I don't."
But his eyes said otherwise.
Lia looked away first.
"Good," she said quietly.
And walked past him.
But for the first time…
Her steps weren't as strong as before.
Ethan stood still, watching her leave.
Something inside him felt… wrong.
Not anger.
Not annoyance.
Something closer to worry.
"…What did you find out?" he repeated softly.
And somewhere deeper in the school—
Ava stood in silence…
Still holding the truth she couldn't release yet.
Because once she did…