That was when she heard it. "A new transfer student joined today."

Aurora barely reacted. Until she saw her. Alana.

For a moment... Aurora’s steps slowed. ’...Wow.’

Alana was stunning.

Golden-brown skin that seemed to glow under sunlight.

Soft black hair cascading like silk.

Her features carried a distinct Latina beauty, sharp yet gentle, striking yet approachable.

Even Aurora’s lips parted slightly in surprise. When Alana took the seat beside her, she smiled.

Warm. Natural. Aurora returned it instinctively. The two began talking.

Casual topics. Nothing deep. Nothing forced.

Alana didn’t try to cling. Didn’t push for friendship. Sometimes she chatted with Aurora. Other times, she mingled with others.

It was all so... normal. So effortless.

That Aurora let her guard down.

After classes ended, the sky had begun to dim slightly, the golden hue of evening stretching across the streets.

Aurora walked along the road when... voices broke the calm.

Rough. Unpleasant. She turned. And saw Alana surrounded by thugs.

Aurora stopped. Her expression didn’t change much.

’She looks capable enough.’

Alana’s posture was steady, her eyes sharp.

She didn’t look like someone who needed saving.

And then, Aurora saw it.

A handkerchief. Pressed tightly in a thug’s hand. Damp.

The sharp, chemical scent of chloroform faintly lingered in the air.

Her eyes narrowed. Alana moved. Fast. Precise.

She fought them off one by one, her movements fluid and powerful.

At one point, even Aurora felt impressed. ’She’s strong.’

Alana didn’t back down. Didn’t hesitate.

But even strength had limits. A thug swung a stick.

It struck. Not hard enough to knock her out, but enough.

In that brief moment another man lunged forward.

The handkerchief pressed against her mouth.

Alana struggled. Her body tensed, her hands pushing against him.

But the scent...it invaded her lungs.

Her movements slowed. Her strength faded. And within seconds, her body went limp.

The thugs laughed. Low, Lewd. Disgusting.

Aurora frowned. She glanced around.

The street was nearly empty. The other students were far away. Too far.

Without another thought, she moved.

Her steps were swift, her fists precise. One hit. Two. Three.

The sound of impact echoed sharply as she knocked them down one after another.

None of them stood a chance. Within moments, they were gone.

Aurora crouched beside Alana. She gently tapped her cheek.

"Hey... wake up."

No response. Her skin felt slightly cold. Her breathing is shallow. Aurora clicked her tongue softly. "No choice."

The hospital smelled sterile. Sharp. Clean. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The faint beeping of machines filled the quiet room.

Aurora stood beside the bed as the IV drip was inserted, watching silently as the fluid slowly entered Alana’s body.

Her face looked pale now. Fragile.

Four hours later, Alana stirred. Her lashes fluttered before her eyes opened.

She frowned slightly, then suddenly, alertness flashed through her gaze.

She looked around quickly, her breathing picking up.

"Those thugs!"

Her voice trembled. Then she paused. Her brows furrowed.

Her gaze landed on Aurora. "What happened?"

Her voice softened, confusion mixing with caution. "Why am I here?"

Aurora crossed her arms slightly. "I brought you here."

She shrugged lightly. "You passed out."

Alana fell silent. A forced smile appeared on her lips.

"If you were a guy ..."

She let out a small breath. "I would’ve thought you were trying to take advantage of me."

She quickly reached for her phone. "I’ll transfer you one million."

Her tone was polite. Distant. "Consider it... a savior’s reward."

Aurora watched her quietly. ’She’s creating distance.’

She chuckled softly. "Alright."

Alana hesitated for a moment before typing her bank details.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she completed the transfer after a few attempts.

Once it went through, she gave a weak smile. "Sorry... I was just... shaken."

Aurora waved it off casually. "If you have something to do, I can leave."

Alana shook her head slightly. "No... it’s fine."

Aurora tilted her head. "Those thugs... why were they after you?"

Alana’s smile faded. A shadow passed over her face.

"If I told you... they’re connected to my mother’s family ..."

She paused. "Would you believe me?"

Aurora shook her head. Alana exhaled softly. "My mother’s family... is part of a mafia."

Her voice dropped. "And recently... they decided to target me."

Her fingers tightened around the bedsheet.

"They want to force my mother to take their side. The underworld is going through... a bit of a shuffle."

The moment those words slipped out, Alana froze.

Her lips parted slightly, and for a fraction of a second, something sharp flashed in her eyes.

’...I said too much.’

A faint tension crept into her shoulders. She quickly closed her lips, forcing a small, composed smile as if nothing had happened.

"Anyway... it’s just a family matter."

Her tone softened deliberately. "You don’t need to worry about it."

Aurora watched her quietly. Then she gave a small nod.

"If that’s the case... I won’t interfere."

Her voice was calm, almost indifferent.

They parted ways. Alana stood still for a moment after Aurora left. Her eyes flickered.

Then she lowered her gaze slowly, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the hospital bed.

’She didn’t react... at all.’

Meanwhile, Aurora returned to her room. She closed the door.

And then she chuckled. "What a play..."

Her voice was low, almost amused. Then she laughed.

Soft at first, then a little louder. "If she really thinks I’ll fall for that again ..."

Her lips curved sharply. "She’s being ridiculously naive."

She walked slowly across the room, her fingers brushing lightly against the table as her mind began piecing everything together.

’Too many loopholes.’

Her eyes narrowed slightly. ’Way too many.’

She began counting them, one by one. First ..."

She murmured to herself. "A transfer student."

Her tone carried faint sarcasm.

"That alone isn’t strange. New students show up every semester."

She paused. "But..."

Her eyes darkened. "She chose to sit right behind me."

Her fingers tapped lightly against the table. "And even though she tried to act normal ..."

Her lips curled faintly. "She ignored me just a little too much."

She turned slightly, leaning against the wall. "As if she were deliberately maintaining distance."

Her gaze sharpened. "And then... outside the university."

A pause. "She made sure there was space between us."

Aurora let out a soft breath. "What really made it obvious..."

Her voice dropped.

"If she belongs to some powerful family... one willing to casually hand out one million as a reward ..."

Her eyes gleamed faintly. "Then where were the bodyguards? Where was the security? Where was the car waiting for her?"

She tilted her head slightly. "None of it existed."

A faint smirk appeared. "And then... her fighting skills."

Her tone turned thoughtful. "She was strong. Very strong."

Her eyes narrowed. "So how did she not notice someone sneaking up behind her?"

Silence. "It’s too perfect."

Her voice turned cold. "Too staged."

She walked toward the bed and sat down slowly.

"What made it even clearer ..."

She let out a small laugh. "When she transferred the money."

Her fingers traced the edge of her phone.

"She didn’t even remember her own account details properly."

Aurora’s smile widened. "And yet..."

Her voice carried a hint of mockery.

"She was comfortable enough to tell a complete stranger... that her mother belongs to a mafia family."

She leaned back slightly. "Everything about it ..."

A pause. "It was a setup."

Her eyes gleamed. "And if I’m right ..."

Her lips curved slowly. "She’ll continue showing me her ’weak’ side."

Her tone turned amused. "So that I feel pity. So that I lower my guard. So that she can slowly pull me into whatever plan she has."

Aurora let out a quiet laugh.

"Interesting."

The next day. The sun was harsh, heat radiating off the pavement in waves.

Students moved lazily, fanning themselves, complaining about the weather.

And there was Alana. She was wearing a full-sleeved shirt.

Completely covering her arms. Despite the heat. Aurora’s gaze lingered on her for a second.

’Right on cue.’

Alana smiled as usual. Calm. Unbothered. As if nothing were wrong.

Later, inside the public washroom.

Aurora stepped into one of the cubicles.

And then, she heard it. A soft sound. Broken. Uneven. Sobbing.

Aurora stilled for a moment. Then quietly finished and stepped out.

There, near the sink, stood Alana. Her eyes were red. Her lashes are damp.

The moment she noticed Aurora, she quickly turned her face away.

As if she didn’t want to be seen like this. Aurora said nothing.

She walked to the sink and washed her hands slowly, the sound of running water filling the silence.

Then, she left. Back in the lecture hall.

Alana shifted slightly in her seat. Just slightly. Her sleeve was rolled up, just enough.

Bruises. Dark. Faintly purple. Scattered across her arm.

Aurora’s eyes flicked toward them.

Alana noticed. Immediately. Her body stiffened.

She pulled her sleeve down quickly, her movements hurried, almost panicked.

Her eyes darted around, checking if anyone else had seen.

And then, her gaze met Aurora’s.

For a brief second, fear flashed through her eyes. Then she lowered her head.

Pretending. As if nothing had happened.