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Chapter 34 - THE CONFESSION

The school didn't feel the same anymore.

Not after what happened.

Not after Lillian walked out.

For the first time, she didn't come the next day.

Her seat stayed empty.

Quiet.

Untouched.

Owen noticed the moment he entered.

He didn't even sit.

Just stood there, staring at her desk.

Bella noticed too.

And for once—

she didn't feel relieved.

The teacher started the lesson.

But Owen wasn't listening.

Not anymore.

As soon as break came—

he stood up.

Walked straight to Bella.

"We need to talk," he said.

Bella looked up slowly.

Her expression guarded.

"About what?"

Owen didn't sit.

Didn't soften his tone.

"About Lillian."

That name alone made Bella tense.

"I didn't do anything," she said quickly.

Owen shook his head.

"Stop saying that."

Silence.

Students around them started paying attention.

Not openly.

But enough.

Owen lowered his voice.

"But loud enough."

"The file didn't change by itself," he said.

"You knew about it before anyone else."

Bella stood up now.

"Are you accusing me?"

"I'm asking you," Owen replied.

Bella laughed softly.

But it broke halfway.

"You really think I would do that?" she asked.

Owen didn't answer immediately.

That was enough.

Bella's eyes changed.

Hurt.

Anger.

Something deeper.

"You believe her over me?" she asked.

Owen stepped closer.

"It's not about choosing," he said.

"It is," Bella snapped.

The room went quieter.

"Everything became about her," Bella continued.

"You stopped talking to me. You stopped noticing me."

Owen frowned.

"That's not—"

"It is!" she cut in.

Her voice shook now.

Not controlled anymore.

"You look at her differently," Bella said.

"You listen to her. You stay with her."

Owen didn't deny it.

That hurt more.

Bella let out a small, shaky laugh.

"I knew it," she whispered.

Silence.

Then—

"I like you, Owen," she said.

The words landed.

Heavy.

Real.

Students nearby froze.

"I've always liked you," Bella continued.

"And I thought… I thought you liked me too."

Owen's expression softened.

But not in the way she wanted.

Bella saw it immediately.

"But you don't," she said.

Owen exhaled slowly.

"I care about you," he said.

Bella shook her head.

"No," she replied.

"That's not what I asked."

Silence.

Owen didn't lie.

"I like Lillian," he said.

That was it.

No noise.

No reaction.

Just truth.

Bella's face went still.

For a second—

she didn't move.

Then her eyes filled.

Not fully crying.

But close.

"So everything I felt…" she said quietly.

Owen didn't interrupt.

"…was just me," she finished.

He stepped closer.

"Bella—"

She stepped back.

"Don't," she said.

Her voice wasn't loud anymore.

Just… empty.

"I didn't mean for it to go this far," she added.

That was the closest thing to a confession.

Owen's eyes sharpened.

"What did you do?"

Bella looked at him.

Silence.

Then she said—

"I just wanted her to stop being perfect."

That was it.

Not a full admission.

But enough.

Owen stepped back slightly.

Disappointment clear.

"You hurt her," he said.

Bella laughed softly.

"But you don't care about that," she replied.

"You care because it's her."

Owen didn't deny it.

That hurt again.

Bella wiped her eyes quickly.

"Go to her," she said.

Owen hesitated.

"Is that what you want?" he asked.

Bella shook her head.

"No."

Then added—

"But it's what you'll do anyway."

Silence.

Owen picked up his bag.

For a moment—

he looked at her.

Then he left.

Bella stood there.

Alone.

This time—

truly alone.

Not ignored.

Not excluded.

Just…

left behind.

And for the first time—

she couldn't control anything anymore.

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