Chapter 3: The First Blow

I walked into the school building, my mind racing with thoughts of the conversation I had just had with Alexander. I couldn't believe what he had told me. My father, involved in shady dealings? My mother's death, not an accident? It was all too much to take in.

As I walked down the hallway, I saw Sophia and Olivia standing by their lockers, whispering and giggling. They caught my eye and smirked, and I felt a surge of anger.

I walked up to them, my heart pounding in my chest. "What's so funny?" I asked, trying to keep my cool.

Sophia and Olivia exchanged a look, and then Sophia spoke up. "We were just talking about you," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "About how pathetic you are."

I felt a surge of anger at Sophia's words, but I tried to keep my cool. I knew that if I lost my temper, Sophia and Olivia would only make fun of me more.

But then, something inside of me snapped. I felt a surge of adrenaline, and before I knew it, I had slapped Sophia across the face.

The hallway fell silent, and everyone stared at me in shock. Sophia's face turned bright red, and she looked like she was about to cry.

Olivia stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "You're going to pay for that," she hissed.

But I just stood there, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew that I had crossed a line, but I didn't care. I was tired of being pushed around, tired of being treated like dirt.

The principal appeared out of nowhere, his face stern. "Emilia, come with me," he said, his voice firm.

I nodded, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. I knew that I was in trouble, but I didn't care. I had finally stood up for myself, and that was all that mattered.

As I walked down the hallway with the principal, I saw Alexander standing by his locker, watching me with a look of concern. I smiled at him, feeling a sense of gratitude. He had given me the strength to stand up for myself, and I would never forget it.

But as I walked into the principal's office, I knew that my troubles were far from over. I was in for a long, hard road, and I wasn't sure if I was ready.

The principal sat down behind his desk, his face stern. "Emilia, you know that violence is not tolerated in this school," he said, his voice firm. "You're going to have to face the consequences of your actions."

I nodded, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. I knew that I had made a mistake, but I didn't regret it. I had finally stood up for myself, and that was all that mattered.

But as I sat there, waiting for the principal to decide my fate, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Something was lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

And then, just as the principal was about to speak, the door to his office burst open. It was Victoria, her face twisted with rage.

"Emilia, you're coming with me," she spat, her eyes blazing with anger.

I felt a surge of fear at Victoria's words, but I tried to stand my ground. I knew that I had done something wrong, but I wasn't going to let Victoria bully me.

But before I could say anything, the principal stood up, his face firm. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Victoria," he said, his voice firm. "Emilia is going to have to face the consequences of her actions."

Victoria's face turned bright red with rage, and she looked like she was about to explode. But then, she seemed to regain control of herself, and a sly smile spread across her face.

"This isn't over," she spat, before turning and storming out of the office.

I watched her go, feeling a sense of unease. I knew that I had just made a very powerful enemy, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for the consequences.

But as I turned to the principal, I saw a look of concern on his face. "Emilia, I think you should be careful," he said, his voice low and serious. "Victoria is not a woman to be trifled with."

I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. I knew that I had just stepped into a very dangerous game, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to play.

But as I walked out of the principal's office, I knew that I had no choice. I had to face whatever came next, head-on.

As I walked out of the principal's office, I felt a sense of uncertainty. The confrontation with Victoria had left me shaken, and I couldn't help but wonder what she had planned next.

I made my way to my next class, my mind racing with thoughts of Victoria and her sinister intentions. But as I sat down at my desk, I saw a note waiting for me.

It was from Alexander, and all it said was: "Meet me in the park at 3 pm. Come alone."

I felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of seeing Alexander again. But I also felt a sense of trepidation. What did Alexander want to talk to me about? And why did he want me to come alone?

I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on my schoolwork. But as the day wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

It wasn't until I was walking home from school that I realized what it was. I was being followed.

I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. But no matter how fast I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

I finally reached the park and saw Alexander waiting for me. He was standing by a tree, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.

"Thanks for coming," he said, as I approached him. "I think we need to talk."

I nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation. What did Alexander want to tell me?

But before he could say anything, I heard a noise behind me. I turned around, and that's when I saw her. Victoria, standing behind me with a smirk on her face.

"Ah, Alexander," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "I see you're still hanging out with the trash."

Alexander's eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward. "Victoria, leave her alone," he growled.

But Victoria just laughed. "Oh, I'm just getting started," she said, before turning and walking away.

I watched her go, feeling a sense of unease. What did Victoria have planned? And how was I going to stop her?

I turned to Alexander, my eyes wide with fear. "What just happened?" I asked, my voice shaking.

Alexander's face was grim. "Victoria's been watching us," he said. "She knows about our little meeting in the park."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What does she want?" I asked.

Alexander's eyes locked onto mine. "She wants to hurt you," he said. "She's been waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

I felt a surge of fear at Alexander's words. I knew that Victoria was capable of anything, and I didn't want to be her next target.

But Alexander's next words surprised me. "Don't worry, Emilia," he said. "I'm not going to let her hurt you. I'm going to protect you, no matter what it takes."

I felt a surge of gratitude towards Alexander. I didn't know what I would do without him.

But as we stood there, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. I looked around, but I didn't see anyone.

Alexander seemed to sense my unease. "Let's get out of here," he said. "We can't stay in one place for too long."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. I was glad to be leaving the park, and I was glad to be with Alexander.

As we walked, Alexander told me more about Victoria's plans. He told me that she was working with someone, someone who had a lot of power and influence.

I listened, my mind racing with questions. Who was Victoria working with? And what did they want from me?

But Alexander just shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "But I'm going to find out. And when I do, we're going to take them down."

I felt a surge of determination at Alexander's words. I was ready to fight, ready to take on Victoria and her accomplices.

And with Alexander by my side, I knew that we could do anything.

As we walked, the streets grew darker and more deserted. Alexander led me to a small café on the outskirts of town, where we sat down at a table in the back.

The café was dimly lit, with only a few patrons scattered about. Alexander leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I've been investigating Victoria's past," he said. "I think I've found a connection between her and a powerful businessman in the city."

My eyes widened as Alexander handed me a folder filled with documents and photographs.

"This is Marcus Blackwood," Alexander said, pointing to a photo of a tall, imposing man with a cold, calculating gaze. "He's a ruthless businessman with a reputation for getting what he wants, no matter the cost."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked at the photo. There was something about Marcus Blackwood that seemed familiar, something that made me feel like I'd seen him before.

But where?

Alexander's eyes locked onto mine, his expression serious. "We need to be careful, Emilia," he said. "If Victoria is working with Marcus Blackwood, we're in grave danger."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. I was ready to take on Victoria and Marcus Blackwood, no matter what it took.

But as we left the café and stepped out into the night, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. I looked around, but the streets were empty and dark.

Suddenly, Alexander's phone buzzed. He looked at the screen, his expression grim.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling a sense of trepidation.

Alexander's eyes locked onto mine. "It's a message from an unknown number," he said. "It says, 'You'll never stop us.'"

As we stood there, the sound of footsteps echoed through the alleyway. Alexander's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair.

"Alexander," she said, her voice husky. "I see you're still getting mixed up with the wrong crowd."

Alexander's expression turned cold. "What do you want, Ruby?" he asked.

Ruby's eyes flicked to me, and a small smile played on her lips. "I want to talk to Emilia," she said. "Alone."

Alexander's grip on my arm tightened. "I don't think so," he said.

But Ruby just laughed. "Oh, come on, Alexander," she said. "Don't be so possessive. I promise I won't hurt her."

Alexander's eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a flicker of uncertainty there. I nodded, and he released his grip on my arm.

"Fine," he said. "But if you hurt her, Ruby, you'll have to answer to me."

Ruby's smile grew wider. "I'm shaking in my boots," she said, before turning to me. "Shall we, Emilia?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. What did Ruby want to talk to me about? And why did Alexander seem so wary of her?

Ruby led me to a small café on the edge of town. We sat down at a table in the back, and Ruby signaled the waitress for a coffee.

"So, Emilia," Ruby said, her eyes locked onto mine. "I hear you've been asking questions about your past."

I felt a surge of surprise. How did Ruby know that?

"What do you know about my past?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Ruby smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I know that you're not who you think you are," she said. "I know that your whole life has been a lie."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. What was Ruby talking about?

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice shaking.

Ruby leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're not just a ordinary girl, Emilia," she said. "You're a key player in a much larger game. And I'm here to help you uncover the truth."

I felt like I was drowning in a sea of confusion. What game was Ruby talking about? And what did she mean by "key player"?

Ruby's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if she could see the questions swirling in my mind.

"Let me show you something," she said, pulling out a small folder from her bag.

She slid the folder across the table, and I opened it to find a series of newspaper clippings and photographs.

The first clipping was a news article about a mysterious fire that had destroyed a large building in the city. The second was a photograph of a group of people standing in front of a luxurious mansion.

And then I saw it. A photograph of me, standing in front of the same mansion. But I had no memory of ever being there.

I felt a chill run down my spine. What was going on? And why did I have no memory of this?

Ruby's eyes seemed to gleam with excitement. "You're starting to remember, aren't you?" she asked.

I shook my head, feeling a sense of panic. "No," I said. "I don't remember anything."

Ruby's expression turned serious. "Don't worry, Emilia," she said. "We'll get to the bottom of this. Together."

But as I looked into Ruby's eyes, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something from me. And I wasn't sure if I could trust her.