Diego yanked her hair, forcing her to face the crowd."It's her! She told me she was some poor, mistreated student. Said she'd admired me for years! I pitied her, gave her money—and how did she repay me? The second she found someone richer, she turned on me! Accused me of assault, ruined my life! I lost my wife, my business—everything!""No! That's not true!" Aurora fought to break free, but Diego's rant drowned her out.Worse? Some people actually bought it."Look at her—she's got that seductive vibe. No way she's innocent.""She's a dancer, right? That whole industry's built on stringing men along. Bet those awards weren't just for talent.""What's she even doing at a hospital? Maybe she really does have something nasty."At that, the crowd recoiled, some covering their noses like she was contagious.Someone shoved her.Another grabbed at her clothes.A third held up their phone, filming every humiliating second.It only stopped when hospital staff rushed in, breaking up t
Marco's message disappeared into the void. No reply.That was... unexpected.He tried calling. Nothing. Line disconnected.A strange unease crawled up his spine. Online harassment could push people to the edge—he knew that. Only now did it really hit him.Pushing himself up, he was about to head to Aurora's place when the movement stirred Sofia awake beside him.She blinked, instantly sensing the shift in his mood. Panic flickered in her eyes—was he actually feeling guilty over Aurora again?The whole internet had turned against Aurora, not just because of mindless gossip but because Sofia had carefully stoked the fire. She couldn't let all that effort go to waste."Marco..." she murmured, voice fragile. "I had a nightmare... that you left me for Ms. Diaz. Maybe I really am just a burden to you. Otherwise..."She lowered her gaze, subtly shifting her arm to expose the long scar on her wrist.The second Marco saw it, any hesitation vanished.That scar—evidence of Sofia's pain—
One by one, the videos dropped through official channels—each piece of evidence undeniable.The once-relentless wave of hate against Aurora screeched to a halt.Some skeptics clung to doubt, tagging forensic experts to check if the footage had been doctored. But every analysis came back the same—authentic.No one had expected such a complete reversal.Then, rage exploded.People felt played. Not just by Marco and Sofia, but by the ugly reality that privilege had been used to crush an innocent person.A chilling thought spread across social media—What if Aurora hadn't been strong enough?What if she had broken under the weight of betrayal, injustice, and nonstop cyberbullying?If that had happened, every single person who had joined in... would have been complicit.That realization hit hard.And just like that, the public turned with a vengeance.The fury unleashed on Marco and Sofia dwarfed what Aurora had endured.And their families? Not spared.People tore into the Ram
Marco's face darkened at the mess he was in.When he got home, Lorenzo was already waiting. The second he saw Marco strolling in like he hadn't just torched their reputation, he didn't hold back—his palm cracked across Marco's face.Marco's mom, Camila, lunged forward. "What's the point of hitting him now? It's done!"Marco had been lost in thoughts of Aurora, but the sting snapped him back. Hand to his cheek, he started to speak—then stopped. Lorenzo looked different, like he'd aged overnight, exhaustion carved deep into his face.Yeah, Marco had been reckless before, but now? Now he got it. The damage wasn't just bad—it was catastrophic."I'm sorry, Dad. I just wanted to help Sofia. I'll fix this."Lorenzo let out a dry, bitter laugh. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?""I'll talk to Aurora. If she wants revenge, she can take it out on me. I'll make it up to her. If I have to, I'll marry her. Once we're family, this whole thing blows over."Camila's face twisted in disg
Marco's panic hit hard when he realized Aurora wasn't just sulking.When she wouldn't pick up his calls, he drove straight to her place and waited outside all night. But the lights never came on. It was like she wasn't there at all.No way. He refused to believe it. Her mom was gone, and her dad had basically kicked her out after remarrying. This was the only home she had left. If she wasn't here... where the hell was she?For the first time, he felt completely powerless. He tried tracking down her friends—only to realize with a jolt he didn't even know who they were.Because before, she was just a game. The moment Sofia took him back, he'd planned to drop Aurora without a second thought. He never cared about her world, never even respected the people in it.And now? That arrogance was biting him in the ass. He had no one to call. No way to find her.Frustrated, Marco snapped. He had someone break into her apartment. No way was she gone for good.But the second he stepped inside
The landlord shook his head. "She left in a hurry. Said she didn't want anything and told me to get rid of it. As for where she went, I didn't ask."Marco's breath hitched. She'd abandoned everything. Like none of it mattered.Under his insistence, the landlord handed over a pile of her belongings—stuff he'd already packed up to throw out.Marco stood there, staring at the garbage bags filled with discarded memories.He dug through them, fingers brushing against familiar things—gifts he'd given her. Back then, he hadn't put much thought into them. Just hand-me-downs from his family, things he barely cared about. But Aurora? She'd treasured them. Lit up like they were priceless.He used to think it was cute. Maybe even a little pathetic, the way she clung to such small, insignificant things.But now? Seeing them tossed aside like trash—seeing him tossed aside—left nothing but a hollow ache in his chest.Maybe he'd hurt her more than he ever realized.Where was she now? Out there
Sofia's sobs cut off.That split second of silence told Marco everything."I—I mean, o-of course, I'd stay with you. No matter what happens, I'll support you."By the time she scrambled to cover her shock, he had already hung up.A deep, suffocating emptiness settled over him.How pathetic.He had thrown everything away for Sofia. Betrayed Aurora—the only person who had truly loved him. And for what?If Ramírez Corp ever collapsed, Sofia would be the first to run.On the other end, Sofia stared at her phone, frozen. The empty dial tone buzzed in her ear.Marco had always helped her, no matter what.But now...Not only had he refused without hesitation, but he had tested her. And then, he'd cut her off—just like that.Something was wrong.Panic crept in. Ignoring her pride, she sent him a string of messages—spilling her grievances, detailing her struggles, hoping to stir his sympathy.But for the first time, Marco didn't care enough to respond.Sitting alone in Aurora's e
Sofia couldn't hide her anger.With the Blanco family crumbling, Marco was her last option. That was the only reason she was swallowing her pride, doing things she once saw as beneath her.And yet, the second he woke up, the first name out of his mouth was 'Aurora.'How could she not be furious?Marco blinked, his vision clearing. The moment he recognized her, he shoved her away. "What are you doing here?"Sofia forced a smile, biting back her irritation. "I heard you were sick, so I came to take care of you. I've been here for a long time."But Marco's eyes flicked over her—perfectly styled hair, flawless makeup, a designer dress without a single wrinkle.She didn't look like someone who'd been caring for a sick person. Not even close.And the worst part? The woman he'd once been obsessed with now sparked nothing in him. Just... indifference.He exhaled. "You should go. I think it's time we end this."Sofia stiffened. What? She had come all this way, and he was just—dismissi
After Aurora left, Lorenzo and Camila braced for Marco to spiral—maybe throw a fit, ditch rehab, or do something reckless.But to their surprise, he didn't.He pushed through recovery, never once demanding to chase after Aurora. It reassured them, made them think he'd grown up, moved on.Only Marco knew the truth.He hadn't forgotten her. He just realized that playing the victim would only make her hate him more.Months later, his leg was mostly healed. No more intense sports, but it didn't mess with his daily life.Following his parents' plans, he stepped into the family business.Work became his escape. He threw himself into it, and under his lead, Ramírez Corp not only bounced back but soared.Lorenzo, satisfied, handed over full control. Just like that, Marco became the business world's newest rising star.The only problem? He was a total workaholic. No hobbies, no social life—just work and home.No one knew his real escape: secretly watching performances from a certain d
Aurora pulled some strings and got a meeting with Sofia.They faced each other through the glass, but this time, the power dynamic had flipped.Sofia sneered. "What are you so smug about? Think you've won? Marco chased me for ten years—one year with you won't erase that. How long do you think he'll stay loyal? In the end, you'll probably end up worse than me."She knew prison was inevitable, so she didn't bother hiding her bitterness.Aurora just nodded. "You're not wrong. If I were like you—pinning my whole life on whether a man loves me—I might've ended up worse."Her voice stayed even. "But I don't rely on a man for my future. Dancing, moving abroad—that was for me, not anyone else."If you lost to me, it's because you wasted your time on things that never mattered. If you'd actually valued your opportunities, you wouldn't be this helpless, even now."Silence. Nothing left to say. Justice would handle the rest.***Meanwhile, at the hospital, Marco was in surgery. The Ramír
Aurora was in a good mood, so she didn't bother rejecting Marco's presence. He trailed behind, watching her, eyes filled with reluctance.How he wished he could be selfish just once—pull her into his arms, beg her to stay, swear he finally understood.But he held back. He couldn't stand seeing that look of distrust in her eyes again.Aurora had no reason to talk to him. No point in dragging things out. Any conversation would just reopen wounds better left closed.They walked in silence—one ahead, one behind. And for a fleeting moment, Marco wished this road would never end.But it did.Aurora didn't look back. She stepped onto the curb, raising a hand for a cab. Marco stood a few feet away, unwilling to turn away just yet.Then, everything changed.A car shot toward her from behind.Fast—too fast.And instead of slowing down, it sped up.Marco's mind blanked out, but his body moved before he could think.He lunged, yanking Aurora out of the way.The car missed her.But it
"Aurora..." His voice pulled her back.She met his gaze—intense, searching."You remember, don't you?" His eyes held something close to desperation, like he needed this.She didn't deny it. That night was burned into her memory."Yes, I remember. You saved me. And because of that, even when you forgot my birthday, ignored the things I loved, and acted like I didn't matter, I still held on to that one moment of kindness."Marco's smile faltered. "I'm sorry. I took you for granted. Back then, I thought chasing her was love. I didn't realize the person who truly cared about me was right beside me..."But I won't make that mistake again. I know now—your birthday is July 19th. Your favorite flowers are bellflowers. And you love—""That's enough." Aurora cut him off, steady and firm. "That one moment of kindness made me forgive you more times than you deserved. But the second you used Diego against me? I owed you NOTHING."Marco went pale.Memories crashed over him—how, in his blind
Aurora had zero interest in playing nice with Lorenzo.Back when Marco was twisting the truth online, ruining her life, Lorenzo hadn't lifted a finger. Now he showed up—because someone he cared about was hurting.When she didn't budge, he sighed. "Visit him, and this investment goes through. Your troupe gets the funding it needs."Aurora hesitated. The team had been over the moon about the funding, and even though she hadn't been there long, she already felt at home with them. Letting them down wasn't an option.Lorenzo, sensing her doubt, threw in one last offer—after this, he'd never bother her again.Fine. One visit, and she could shut the door on Marco for good.After taking leave from the troupe, she booked a flight to Santora.At the airport, Hugh was there to see her off. "You don't have to go. Don't let anyone push you into this."His concern made her chest tighten. She shook her head. "Some things need to be settled face to face. I'll be fine."Hugh held her gaze. "Wh
By the time security showed up, everyone was bruised and battered.Marco's face was pale. Someone had nailed him in the stomach during the chaos. Maybe it was the booze, maybe the pain, but his gut twisted so hard he thought he might puke.Still, his eyes burned with fury. If no one had dragged him back, he wouldn't have stopped.Security broke up the fight and called an ambulance.On the way to the hospital, a sharp, metallic taste filled his mouth. He coughed, spat out dark blood—then everything went black.***Lorenzo and Camila rushed to the hospital the second they got the call.Marco was in surgery. No one knew how bad it was. Their hearts pounded.When they found out he'd wrecked himself fighting his childhood friends over Aurora, Camila was livid. And anxious.How had things spiraled this far because of that woman?Time dragged. When the surgery finally ended and Marco was wheeled out, Camila couldn't hold back her tears.The doctor sighed. "He's stable, but he needs
After the interrogation, Marco got deported back to Santora—no formal charges, no real consequences. But he refused to accept it.He pulled every string he could, desperate for a way back, but Lorenzo shut it down the second he caught wind of it. Aurora was done with him. No forgiveness, no second chances.Marco swore he wouldn't give up, but it didn't matter. As long as Aurora stayed out of Santora, she was untouchable. And Lorenzo? He made sure Marco cut ties for good.With no way out, Marco threw himself into work, grinding himself into exhaustion. Days blurred into nights at the company—no sleep, barely eating. His sharp, polished look? Gone. He was a ghost of himself.Camila panicked, begging him to go out, see friends, do something before he worked himself into the ground.He gave in. Went to a bar. But instead of unwinding, he just sat in the corner, knocking back drink after drink. The expensive liquor? Might as well have been water.Marco's friends stared, stunned.Marc
Marco yanked Aurora's wrist, but she just laughed—cold and sharp. "Together? Nah. You must've forgotten. We were just messing around. Your girlfriend is Sofia."She jerked free, but he wouldn't let go.Hugh, standing nearby, clocked the tension. This guy wasn't here for anything good.He stepped in, planting himself between them. "Sir, let her go. She's not into this."Marco's temper snapped. "This is between us. Back off!" He shoved Hugh, trying to push him aside.Bad move. Hugh didn't hesitate—his fist slammed straight into Marco's face.Marco, golden boy of Santora, had never been hit like that.Fueled by jealousy and rage, he let Aurora go and swung back.Chaos erupted. Fists flew.Hugh had the height and reach, but Marco wasn't just some spoiled rich kid—he'd been trained to fight since childhood. Within moments, Hugh started losing ground.Marco's fist was about to slam into Hugh's face when Aurora snapped.Squeezing her eyes shut, she stepped between them.Hugh was o
Aurora had no clue about the chaos unraveling in Santora. The first time she even heard Marco's name was when Professor Serrano called.After checking in on her progress, Professor Serrano casually dropped the bomb—Marco and Sofia's breakup. Then came the warning: stay away from a guy that heartless.Aurora let out a helpless laugh. She got it. Professor Serrano was just looking out for her, afraid she'd fall for Marco's tricks again and throw away everything she'd built.But after stepping into a whole new world, Aurora saw just how big life really was. Everyone had infinite paths to take, and the things that once felt world-ending? Yeah, not so much anymore.Even the guy she thought she could never forget... now, thinking of him only brought a quiet kind of nothingness.That love had faded, slipping away without her even noticing.One thing was for sure—she'd never lose herself in someone else's shadow again.Professor Serrano seemed relieved.After hanging up, Aurora turned