The rest of the ride to the University was quiet, and Alia didn’t mind it. She wanted to take one step at a ti.
She exited the car so distance from the University so no one would know about her identity. She then walked to the large gates and was about to enter when she noticed soone.
"What are you doing here?" Alia asked, her expression neutral, rembering their last encounter.
The man before her smiled before stepping ahead.
"I heard what happened," He said.
Alia tilted her head, a hopeful smile on her face. Did he co for her?
"You heard?" She asked.
"Yes. You must’ve been startled. If things are bad for you, how about I ask King Cyrus for permission, and he will allow you to co ho for so ti?" Her father, Thas, asked.
A little hope reignited in her heart.
Maybe her change in life choices this ti will make her favorable and allow her to receive a little love from her father.
"I will–" Alia started, but Thas interrupted her before she could complete her sentence.
"Elder Noah was asking for the data regarding the decoctions that you had presented last ti for Alzheir’s. The data is locked in your vault. We were wondering if Hannah could have these results. It will improve her stand in society, and she will be able to get a better groom," Thas said.
Alia’s little hope crumbled. There was no sound, but her heart again broke into a thousand shards.
She had been working on this research for more than four months.
Along with housework and school, she managed all her ti and put in her effort, sotis giving up on food so she could research more. How could her father be so partial all the ti? Why did he never think about her, not even once? Did he hate her so much?
It wasn’t the first ti she had to give her research results to Hannah.
But... she really thought that her father arrived to ask about her whereabouts after the attack.
Tears welled in Alia’s eyes, and she quickly blinked back.
"No," Alia said firmly.
"No?" Thas asked, his expression turning dark, all the politeness leaving his face imdiately.
"I can’t—" Alia couldn’t complete her sentence when her father raised his hand and struck her.
The slap was hard, turning her face to the side.
The ringing in her ears indicated that it happened right before the University, right before all the students who were coming.
Her father didn’t shy away from humiliating her before everyone. He never cared about her reputation or feelings.
As long as she danced to their tunes, everything was okay. If she retaliated or took a wrong step, she would be schooled.
The exact process had been going on since she started differentiating things.
The tears she had blinked back spilled from her eyes, and she closed them for a second.
"How dare you deny it?! Don’t forget that the research was conducted in the Copper’s lab. All the research belongs to us. We will decide whose na will go onto it. Co and submit the data today," Thas said.
Hannah, who also arrived in ti with Alpha Killian, rushed to the scene.
"Dad?! What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here? I thought you would be busy researching for another couple of days. Did you co to see ?" Hannah asked, ignoring Alia for a few seconds before she pretended to be shocked.
"Alia, I am sorry I didn’t see you. I was just so excited to see you. I heard about the attack. Are you alright? I heard you got wounded pretty badly," Hannah cupped her cheeks, making the sting in her face worse.
"I am fine," Alia, not in the mood for her fake words, removed Hannah’s hand.
The girl stumbled backward with a shocked expression.
"Alia!" Thas shouted angrily when he saw Hannah stumbling, almost falling if not for Alpha Killian, who held her in ti.
"What’s wrong, Alia? Did I upset you?" Hannah asked, her eyes turning red, tears almost spilling.
"You don’t need to worry about her, Hannah. The brat is just angry because I asked for the research data. Given how hard you worked on it, I wanted to submit it in your na. Your results just didn’t co out accurately. However, she just wants to act entitled and throw a tantrum," Thas said.
Alia smiled inwardly.
How conveniently they changed the truth to their benefit.
Hannah worked hard on it? When? When she was roaming around Alpha Killian? Or when she was partying with her friends? Planning trips before exams?
Alia didn’t say anything and just turned around, ready to leave.
Alpha Killian, who saw the glaring red mark on her cheeks, helped Hannah aside before he held Alia’s hand to stop her.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
He had seen how terribly wounded she was and knew that she was anything from alright.
There was no way her wounds healed, and that was probably the reason she was wearing a full-sleeved dress to hide them.
"Do I look alright?" Alia asked, her expression still neutral, all her pain and regret masked behind the wall she created around herself.
Alpha Killian hesitated to say anything. How could he comnt on anything when he didn’t know the whole story of what was going on?
Besides, Alia clearly overreacted earlier. Hannah was just being caring towards her sister. Must she push her away like that?
But that mark on Alia’s face looked fresh.
He looked at Thas’s hand, and the redness in his hand clearly indicated what had happened.
He was about to ask about it when soone called Alia’s na.
"Miss Alia, right? The principal wants to see you regarding the attack," A man walked to them.
Seeing it was none other than Alpha Zane, Killian nodded at the man, who nodded back. Thas bowed in respect, and Zane looked at him with a cold expression before he left.
Alia didn’t look back and walked ahead with Alpha Zane.
"I am sorry, but I don’t know where the principal’s office is. If you can just point it out, I’ll find my way." Alia’s voice had been much more timid from morning, her heart and mind going over and over her father’s words and actions.
"The principal didn’t call you," Alpha Zane said as a matter of fact.
"Hmm?" Alia finally looked up at the man, taking in his appearance.
He definitely looked like soone in his third or fourth year.
"I am a mber of the student council. Saw you getting uncomfortable with your family and thought you could use an excuse to escape," Alpha Zane said.
Alia realized that a stranger helped her, seeing her distress that her family mbers couldn’t.
"Thank you," She said.
"Don’t thank . Alpha Ryan asked to do it," Zane nudged his face towards Alia, and she turned around where Ryan was standing and watching her.
His watchful gaze made her a little uncomfortable.
She said nothing and started walking again, leaving Zane with a questioning look.
Did the girl leave without thanking Ryan? Most girls die to talk to them.
"What’s going on? You hot on that chick?" Alpha Zane walked towards Ryan.
Ryan just sighed.
"Just ssed up," He said, not adding more.
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