165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6XSAiJomp
"Audrey, I know this may come as a shock to you," Ace said, his eyes burning with intensity. "But I'm not who you think I am."
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DXHploRz8
I felt a jolt of surprise, my mind racing with possibilities. What did he mean?
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIOvQkM4gi
"I'm not just a student at your school," Ace continued. "I'm...I'm the son of Edward and Elizabeth."
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWGZNpRFHf
My eyes widened in shock. The same Edward and Elizabeth who owned this mansion?
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf8h3oZazI
"But why are you telling me when i know they are your parents ?" I asked, feeling a mix of emotions: confusion, doubts.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i96uKhDdx
Ace sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I wanted to protect you, Audrey. From my world, from my family's secrets."
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6nMlaPuir
I shook my head, trying to process this new information. "What secrets?"
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS1b4VKC9C
Ace hesitated, looking around nervously. "Let's just say my family is involved in some...shady dealings. And I don't want you to get hurt."
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzlnXstH04
I felt a chill run down my spine. What had I gotten myself into?
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmi2NdQ0Uu
Suddenly, a noise came from behind us. We turned to see Edward and Elizabeth standing in the doorway, their faces stern.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bvVSMDvXZ
"Ace, we need to talk," Edward said, his voice firm.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDguRrbqxc
Ace nodded, squeezing my hand. "I'll be right back, Audrey. Promise."
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QpS4rCT0h
And with that, he left me alone in the garden, surrounded by secrets and lies.
Audrey, a farmiliar voice calls my name.
I turn around to meet Jason, my childhood crush, Jay-Jay is that really you in flesh, I ask with tears clouding my eyes.
Your one and only he says before we embraced each other, you came back for me?
it sounded more like a question.
of cause.
Jason, its time Elizabeth says.
Time for what I ask him.
You will find out in due time he says but, I on the other hand decided eavesdropping on their conversation.
You should see the shock on my face tonight, when I learnt about the blood relationship between Jason and Ace.
No wonder Ace was acting strange all night. He's been replaced as the heir to the family throne and business empire by his older brother Jason, and to make matters worse, he's been engaged to Estella, the school's resident mean girl all along and he never mentioned that part. I can understand why he'd be upset, he was forced to but that's clearly not a good excuse to not inform me about it.
My family thinks it's in my best Interest to be engaged with Jason same day he is announced as the heir to the family throne, not that am complaining.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeSIFnPpqh
As I left the Demetriou's mansion with my parents, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuspaseeov
I was happy to be reunited with Jason, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that I'd somehow betrayed Ace. And what was with the marriage contract? It all felt so sudden and arranged.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhU7mJkXP6
I looked at Jason, who was walking beside me, and smiled. I was excited to spend more time with him, but I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNS2VdPbvn
When we got home, I went straight to bed, my mind racing with thoughts of Ace, Jason, and the strange events of the night. I knew I had to talk to Ace, to clear the air and find out what was really going on.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLZYvJhAY0
But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't even imagine.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKFvEptByX
The next day, I went to school, still trying to process everything that had happened the night before. I saw Ace in the hallway, but he ignored me and walked away. I felt a pang of hurt and confusion. What had I done wrong?
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydBKwuBxoh
I decided to confront him at lunchtime. I found him sitting alone at a table, looking moody and withdrawn.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUvyiZsBXL
"Ace, can I talk to you?" I asked, sitting down beside him.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9b9DnGq0W
He looked up at me, his eyes cold and distant. "What's there to talk about, Audrey?"
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bSUvwXKcP
"I don't know what's going on with you, but I feel like you're mad at me," I said, trying to reach out to him.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxWFVAEL57
Ace snorted. "You have no idea what's going on, do you? You're just a pawn in their game."
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWL13oo12k
"What game? What are you talking about?" I asked, feeling frustrated and confused.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmnm9h6i8L
Ace stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "Just forget it, Audrey. You'll find out soon enough."
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zsoEgPRGF
And with that, he walked away, leaving me feeling more confused and hurt than ever.
ns3.148.223.53da2
