All Chapters of Rising from the ash: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Chapter 52But maybe—just maybe—he did care about someone else. The thought was ridiculous, but he couldn’t deny that the beautiful girl he dropped off earlier had stayed on his mind longer than she probably should have. It wasn’t just that she was attractive. There was something different about her, something that made him want to talk to her again. He waved Lana Goodbye and then turned around, suddenly not being in the mood to talk since the mention of Jessie He reached into his pocket, feeling the tiniest hope in his chest. He had quickly scribbled his number on a piece of paper and slipped it into her hand as she rushed into the cafe. He hoped she noticed it, hoped she’d call. But at the same time, he wasn’t sure why he cared so much. It was just a random girl, right?And she particularly told him she wasn't the type to talk much. Most especially to strangersStill, he pulled out his phone and checked the screen. No new messages.Ryan sighed and checked the time. It was still wor

Chapter 54 She began to overthink it. What if he thinks I am throwing myself at him? he probably hanging out with his rich friends She said to herself Her phone beeped, snapping her out of her thoughts. She picked it up, half-expecting some random notification, but her heart skipped a beat when she saw the message.Unknown Number: *Hey there pretty girl, didn't think you will ever text me ,so did you make it through your shift alive?*Sophia blinked, reading the message again. Then, with a soft laugh, wondering what was with the sudden humour she knew it was him.she quickly typed back.Sophia: Barely. It was as stressful as hell ,felt like I age ten years in one day. How are you doing? She replied him Ryan: Sounds about right. First days always suck. Did anyone throw coffee at you? Or try to trouble you ..also I don't feel really good Sophia: No not really but someone did try to humiliate me in front of the café. Does that count?*Ryan: *Oof. That definitely counts. Who was it

Chapter 56Sophia woke up to the sound of a notification. Groggy from sleep she reached for her phone, barely able to pry her eyes open. She tapped on the screen, and there it was—another text from Ryan.Good morning, beautiful. I hope you have a lovely day, just as you are.She couldn't help but smile, her heart doing a little flip. She knew he was moving fast, and a part of her wanted to slow things down. But still, it felt good to be seen, to be admired. She had spent so long focusing on academics and survival that she had almost forgotten what it was like to have someone interested in her.Sophia glanced at the other side of the room. Olivia and Mia were still asleep, She took the moment to herself, still smiling from ear to ear without the teasing that would surely follow if her roommates caught her.Shaking her head, she quickly typed a response: *Would you please relax with all these compliments?* She didn’t want him to think she was easily swayed, even if deep down, his words

Chapter 58Katrina stepped back a little from Sophia’s and then slapped her across the face, hard, hard, hard. It was the loudest thing in the entire classroom. Sophia jerked her head back, her eyes stinging from the tears she was trying so hard not to cry. It was shocking and painful at the same time “You think you’re so pious, don’t you? ” Katrina barked. ‘With your righteous act. You’re nothing but a show-off, a fake, and you deserve this next time you wouldn't dare lay hands on me,I told you you were going to pay for that . ” She reached up again and slapped Sophia a second time. The classroom gasped and some people shifted uncomfortably in their seats.Sophia blinked in the pain as she struggled to free her hands, but before she could speak again Katrina’s hand struck again, a third slap echoing in the silence. With each slap came a rain of humiliating abuse, each one worse than the other Katrina feeling power over her . You’re so pathetic, she said, always looking for attention

Chapter 60 Justine groaned as she rolled over in bed, her hand instinctively reaching for her phone. The moment she saw the time she quickly panicked. She was late. Again."Damn it," she muttered, throwing off the covers and jumping out of bed. Her alarm had gone off—she was sure of it—but exhaustion had gotten the best of her. Yesterday had been a lot , and she had stayed up way too late, promising herself just five more minutes of scrolling through her phone, which turned into an hour.She dashed into the bathroom, brushing her teeth as fast as she could before hopping into the shower. The warm water should have been soothing, but all she could think about was getting to work before her boss noticed she was running behind. Three weeks into this job, and she had already learned that she always had to be early,even though no one might complain, her sense of duty . She was good at what she did—really good—but being late could easily overshadow that.After throwing on her work clo