The next morning, Lia arrived at school earlier than anyone else. The hallways were nearly empty, the lights flickering slightly above her head. She walked quietly, hands in her pockets, hood drawn low, sneakers barely making a sound on the tile.
Students from Section A and C noticed her immediately and whispered.
"Is that… Lia?"
"She looks… scary."
"Don't stare. She might snap."
Ella, Freya, Mica, Mira, Lexi, Ion, Jessica, and Cindy from Section A glanced at her nervously, while Rakki from Section C shook his head and quickly looked away. Nobody dared speak.
Lia didn't care. Her mind was consumed with the thought of the DNA test in three days—three days until the truth she'd been avoiding would finally be revealed.
She entered Section E's classroom. Angelo was already there, sitting casually on the desk, headphones around his neck but no music playing. He looked up as soon as he saw her.
"You didn't sleep, did you?" he said quietly.
"Didn't feel like it," Lia replied.
Jay walked in, carrying a steaming cup of hot chocolate. She froze at the sight of Lia. "Girl… you look like you fought a war last night."
"Maybe I did," Lia muttered.
Aries tossed his bag onto a chair. "Morning. You okay?"
Lia didn't respond. He didn't press.
One by one, the rest of Section E trickled in—Kit, Eren, Mayo, Denzel, Zeke, and the others. Only Section E was allowed inside; students from Section A and C stayed out of the room, sensing the tension in the air.
The silence was heavy, almost suffocating. Finally, Angelo spoke.
"Yesterday doesn't exist. No rumors. No slips. Nothing leaves this room."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Mayo raised his hand. "We're not telling anyone. Promise."
Jay added quietly, "Especially don't let Kiara hear anything…"
Before she could finish, the door slammed open.
Kiara appeared, heels clicking sharply on the floor. Her eyes locked on Lia immediately.
"Mom said you came home late," Kiara said coldly. "Where were you?"
Lia didn't flinch. "Don't act like you care."
Kiara smirked. "I don't. But I like knowing when you sneak around."
Angelo stepped forward. "Kiara, this isn't your class. Leave."
She turned sharply. "You shut up. You aren't her brother anyway."
The room froze. Jay stepped protectively closer to Lia, Aries clenched his fists, ready to act.
Lia's gaze met Kiara's, cold and sharp. "Leave."
Kiara leaned in. "Afraid I'll find out what you're hiding?"
"You know nothing," Lia replied.
"Oh, I know enough," Kiara said. "Even with Mom treating you like a little treasure… I see right through you."
"Kiara," Lia snapped, her voice cutting, "stop before I make you regret it."
Kiara scoffed. "You're hiding something. I'll find out. Whether you like it or not."
She turned and walked out, slamming the door.
Everyone exhaled, relieved the confrontation was over.
"She's already suspicious," Angelo muttered. "We have to be careful."
"She doesn't know anything," Lia said, though her voice trembled slightly.
Jay put a hand on her shoulder. "Kiara isn't dumb. She'll figure it out if we slip."
Lia shook her head. "The DNA test will tell the truth. That's all that matters."
Aries asked softly, "And if the truth hurts?"
Lia didn't answer. Deep down, she knew the truth might hurt more than she was ready to admit—about her past, her family, and her complicated hatred toward Kiara.
Three days later, the moment arrived faster than Lia expected.
Jay, Angelo, and Aries met her under the flickering streetlamp outside the clinic. No one spoke. The silence pressed down like a weight.
At the reception, Lia was handed a sealed envelope. Her hands froze.
"Do you want to open it here?" Angelo asked softly.
Jay whispered, "We're with you."
Lia slowly opened the envelope. Her eyes scanned the words. Her body stiffened.
Angelo leaned forward. "What does it say?"
Lia's voice shook, barely audible. "…Gema…"
Angelo stiffened. "What about her?"
"…Gema is our mother," Lia whispered.
Jay gasped. Aries stumbled back. Angelo's face went pale.
"And Kiara?" he asked quietly.
Lia lifted her eyes. "…Kiara is not Gema's child. She's Lara's. She's… separate."
Aries froze. "Then… she's—?"
Lia's eyes hardened. "She's not my twin. And she's never been part of our family."
The envelope slipped from her fingers. Jay covered her mouth in shock, Aries cursed softly, Angelo leaned back, stunned.
Then her phone vibrated violently.
A message from Kiara:
WHERE ARE YOU? WE NEED TO TALK. NOW.
Aries whispered, "How does she even know?"
Lia's pulse raced. "We go back. Face whatever comes next."
But across the street, hidden behind a parked car, Kiara was watching. Eyes wide. Face frozen. She had seen the envelope—and now, she knew.
The storm was coming. And no one was ready.