ELLA'S POV I watched in shocked silence as the video played on the screen. My jaw dropped, mirroring the stunned expressions of the other students around me. Their eyes darted between the Lucinda on the screen and the real one sitting just a few tables away. So this explains everything - why Lucinda had Trent wrapped around her finger, and even Damien's involvement. It all made sense now, like puzzle pieces finally clicking into place.As the video ended, a hush fell over the cafeteria. You could've heard a pin drop in those few seconds of stunned silence. Then, like a dam breaking, voices erupted all around me."Oh my god, did you hear that?" a girl with bright blue hair gasped, nearly knocking over her lunch tray as she turned to her friend."I can't believe Lucinda would do something like that," another boy whispered, his eyes wide as saucers."So she's been the real bitch all along," someone else chimed in, their voice dripping with disgust.My heart squeezed as I heard a quiet

TRENTS POVI tiptoed to the window, peeking out from behind the curtain.There's no sign of my dad's car or his security men's cars, but I could have sworn I saw them following me. Where could they have gone?I let the curtain fall back into place and spun around, my eyes landing on Nurse Veronica. She was fiddling with Tom's IV, her brow furrowed in concentration."We need to start the livestream now," I said, trying to keep the urgency out of my voice. She nodded, as she bustled about, checking Tom's vitals one last time.Earlier that day, Mr. Matthews and I had carefully installed cameras throughout the room. We'd tested and re-tested the connection, making sure everything was perfect for this moment. Mr. Matthew had gone to the police station to fetch police officers, in case things went awry, leaving us to face this alone. I swallowed hard, pushing down the nervousness bubbling up inside me.I approached Tom's bed, my hand gently squeezing his shoulder. "We need to start now, ok

TRENT'S POV I paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room, my sneakers squeaking against the polished floor. The beeping of machines and voices of medical staff filled the air, but I barely registered any of it. My mind was racing, replaying the night's events over and over like a broken record.Mr. Matthews sat slumped in a nearby chair, holding an ice pack to his swollen eye. We'd been here for hours, waiting for news about Nurse Veronica. I really can't afford to lose her, not when Tom needs her so much.I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. "This is all my fault," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.Mr. Matthews lowered the ice pack, wincing as he shifted in his seat. "Don't blame yourself, Trent. We couldn't have predicted this outcome."I spun around, facing him with clenched fists. "But we should have! We know what Dad's capable of. We should have been more prepared."Before he could reply, a familiar jingle of a breaking news

ELLA'S POVAs soon as the exam ended, I grabbed Trent's hand and pulled him towards a quiet corner of the hallway. My heart was still racing from the events of last night, and I needed to make sure he was okay. I ran my hands over his arms and chest, checking for any signs of injury."Are you hurt anywhere? Any bruises or cuts I can't see? Maybe we should go to the nurse's office, just to be safe," I rambled, my fingers trembling as I continued my inspection.Trent's laughter rumbled through his chest, and he caught my hands in his. "I'm totally fine, Ella. See? I'm practically glowing." He twirled, striking a pose like a model on a runway. "In fact, I think all that excitement might have given me superpowers. Want to see if I can fly?"I blew out an exasperated breath, swatting his arm. "Is that really what you should be joking about right now? This isn't funny, Trent. You could have been killed!" My voice cracked on the last word, and I swallowed hard. "When the livestream suddenly

TRENT'S POVThe hospital room felt like it was closing in on us. The constant beep of the heart monitor seemed to get louder with each passing second, making my head throb. I couldn't stop myself from glancing at the door every few moments, half-expecting it to burst open with my father's thugs ready to finish what they started.Mr. Matthews couldn't seem to stay still. He paced back and forth, his shoes squeaking on the polished floor. His fingers drummed against his thigh as he spoke. "We need to figure out who's going to get this evidence to the police. Time isn't on our side here, people."I watched as Nurse Veronica shifted in her bed, wincing as she tried to sit up straighter. Her face was pale. "I'll do it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm the one who recorded it, after all."My head snapped towards her so fast I thought I might get whiplash. "No way. You're still recovering, Veronica. We need to keep you hidden. If my father finds out you're alive..." I could