Aarya’s name appeared on the school announcement board in bold letters:
“Selected for National Academic Championship – Top Candidate.”
Students gathered around, murmuring:
“She’s going to represent the entire region?”
“I heard it’s a scholarship gateway to international universities!”
“She came out of nowhere!”
Aarya read the notice silently, but inside… her heart soared.
One more step away from the life she once lost.
Suddenly — a shove.
She stumbled, catching herself just in time.
A group of girls stood there, smirking. The leader, Kavya, flipped her hair dramatically.
“Championship? Please. You probably cheated,” she spat.
Old Aarya would’ve apologized.
New Aarya… smiled.
“Accusing me won’t help you pass your exams,” she replied smoothly.
The girls blinked — stunned she dared respond.
Kavya stepped closer, grabbing Aarya’s wrist.
“Don’t act smart in front of me—”
Before Aarya could react, someone seized Kavya’s hand in a firm grip.
Adrian.
His gaze turned lethal cold.
“Touch her again,” he said, voice dangerously calm,
“and you’ll regret more than just your grades.”
Kavya froze — the entire hall fell silent.
Adrian released her with a flick of annoyance.
The group scattered fast.
Aarya stared at him, caught between shock and… something warmer.
“I could handle them.”
She hoped her voice sounded steadier than she felt.
“I know,” Adrian said, stepping just a little too close.
“But that doesn’t mean you should handle everything alone.”
Her chest tightened.
No. Not again.
Don’t let anyone in.
She nodded and walked away — leaving Adrian watching, expression unreadable but undeniably protective.
At home, a different storm waited.
Her father held the printed announcement in his hand — smiling like a businessman at a goldmine.
“So, my daughter’s becoming important!”
“There must be sponsors… prize money… something for us?”
Aarya’s jaw clenched. “It’s for my future. Not your pockets.”
Her father’s smile disappeared instantly.
“You ungrateful thing—!”
Before he could shout more, Aarya spoke calmly:
“I’ll be leaving for the competition soon. When I succeed, I’ll build a life without you.”
Her mother scoffed. “Without us? And where will you live? On the street?”
Aarya smiled — cold but confident.
“I’d rather live on a street… than in a house without love.”
That shut them up.
She turned, walking to her room — heart pounding, yet proud.
Later, she sat by her window, moonlight on her notes. She whispered to herself:
“Win this. And you take your first true step to freedom.”
Her fingers trembled — not from fear this time…
but from excitement.
Outside, leaning against the gate, was Adrian.
Watching her window quietly… making sure no one hurt her.
He didn’t know why he cared this much.
He only knew one thing:
Aarya Sharma was not someone he could ignore.
Not in this life.
Maybe not in any.
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