Aria's POV
"Aria, are you joining us for the group study today?"
Maya's voice buzzed through my headphones as I hurried across campus.
I clutched my books and felt the familiar flutter of anxiety in my belly. The twins kicked gently—reminding me I had another life to protect.
"I'll try," I whispered into the phone. "My head still hurts from yesterday."
"Take it easy," Maya urged. "But don't skip class. You promised Professor Keller you'd catch up on the lectures."
I forced a smile, even though no one saw it. "I know. I'm on my way now." I ended the call, squared my shoulders, and pushed open the door to my lecture hall.
The classroom smelled of chalk dust and early morning coffee. Rows of desks faced the whiteboard. A handful of classmates chatted quietly, but when I entered, conversation hushed.
I knew why: whispers about the board meeting scandal, about Damon's crisis, and rumors swirling around me—Aria Harper, the "secretary" to a billionaire, now a scandal magnet.
