When She Fell || ONC 2025

Chapter 21

Kiara snapped her head toward her, face heating up. "Ryna—"

"Relax, I won't tell anyone," she smirked, waving a folded tissue in the air.

Nathan narrowed his eyes. "What is that you wanted to tell?"

Flashback

Ryna sat in her music class, tapping her fingers impatiently against the desk. The melody playing in the background that once was a source of comfort today felt like mere noise. She sighed, barely paying attention to the teacher's words. 

Kiara should've been sitting next to her, nudging her to focus into music and then they would be making fun of some people who couldn't even get a few chords right. But no - her best friend had conveniently taken a sick leave today.

Ryna scoffed to herself. 

Sick, my foot. 

She knew exactly what Kiara was doing. Helping Nathan. Those two were the definition of lovesick cats. She unknowingly rolled her eyes at the thought.

When the class ended, she packed her things and left without another word. It wasn't like she needed company anyway. She had always loved being alone, hadn't she?

So, when she walked into a small café nearby, she wasn't looking for anyone. Just coffee and peace. But peace was a luxury these days, and coffee? It was another name for heaven.

But he was here. Liam. 

He was seated by the window, fingers wrapped around a half-empty coffee cup, his mind obviously elsewhere. But when he saw her—his face shifted. A flash of hesitation, guilt, maybe even relief.

There goes all my peace and heaven. She thought. 

Before he could open his mouth, Ryna spoke first.

"Oh, you can speak? I thought you talk in notes only." Her voice was ice-cold, carrying every bit of the resentment she had been holding in.

Liam swallowed. "Ryna, I... I don't know how to—"

"Save it." She placed her bag down, crossing her arms. 

Don't give him the chance to lie. Don't give him the chance to explain. 

"I really regret thinking you were a good person. When in reality, you are the reason all of us are in trouble."

Liam flinched. "Ryna, please, let me explain—"

"I don't even want to talk to you. Leave, please."

Her words cut deep, but Liam didn't move. Instead, he exhaled sharply and reached for something—a folder.

"Ryna, I swear I didn't—"

Her gaze flickered to the folder in his hands. A sudden thought struck her. She sat up straighter.

"Right then." She slid a napkin toward him. "抖阴社区 on this paper. Right now. In front of me."

Liam hesitated, his fingers twitching.

"What?"

"Do it."

He picked up the pen, forcing himself to stay calm. He tried to fake a different handwriting, changing the angles, the loops of the letters. But no matter what he did—it was still his handwriting.

Ryna reached into her bag and pulled out the note. The one she had hidden, the one that had haunted her since the day she found it. She placed it beside the napkin.

She didn't even have to compare for long. Because it matched. Her stomach twisted.

Liam looked at her, waiting for her to say something, anything—but Ryna just stared at the paper, her pulse pounding in her ears.

"Woah." Her voice was soft, but the disappointment hit like a slap. 

"So you lied to me too." Liam opened his mouth, but Ryna wasn't done. "Even when you could have just accepted it. Apologized. Maybe even fixed it.... at least tried to fix it?" She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. 

"Wow, Liam. Thanks for showing me reality."

And then, without another glance, she picked up her bag and walked out. So much for peace.

What Liam didn't know was, this time she didn't leave in anger, this time she left in disappointment. She did not hate him anymore, she loathed him. Liam had broken the trust she had, and nothing can fix a broken trust. 

This time, Liam failed.. as he  watched her leave, his hands clenched into fists. Regret sat heavy on his chest. Because this time—he might have really lost her.

Flashback Ends

Ryna stepped closer, placing two pieces of paper side by side on the table. One was the note from the threats, and the other— 

"This is Liam's handwriting," she stated.

Nathan felt something inside him crack. Ryna continued, explaining her earlier meeting with Liam. The way he avoided her, the way he tried to fake his handwriting—and how, in the end, the truth was undeniable.

Nathan clenched his fists. His best friend. His brother. Liam had betrayed him.

He looked down at the matching handwritings, his chest feeling heavier by the second. His head spun, his stomach churned. He didn't want to believe it. But he couldn't deny it anymore. Liam was part of this, And Nathan had no idea what to do next. 

Who was he to trust?

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