Here's chapter 3 of A rebel's love
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Chapter Three: Silence Is Louder Than Goodbye
Alina didn't cry right away.
When Kian walked off that night, leaving her in the middle of the abandoned overlook with the stars overhead and her heart in pieces, she stood frozen. The cool wind stung her face, but it couldn't compete with the way his words had burned through her.
> "That was your mistake."
The silence after that echoed louder than any door slam or shout could.
She waited a minute. Then five. Then ten.
But he didn't come back.
When she finally got into a cab, her hands shook the entire ride home. Her face remained composed, but the storm had already begun inside her.
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The Bennett mansion was quiet. Her mother had already left for her charity dinner, and the staff kept their distance, sensing the crack in the otherwise polished porcelain of their princess.
Alina went straight to her room and locked the door. She didn't touch her phone. She didn't touch her bed.
She simply sat on the floor, pulled her knees to her chest, and stared at the blank wall across from her. The room was filled with designer things—soft lighting, pastel colors, expensive scents—but none of it made her feel safe.
Not anymore.
Not since he left her alone in the dark.
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The next day at school, her friends noticed.
"You didn't post your outfit this morning," Harper said, eyes scanning her face.
"And your eyes look… puffy," Danielle added, frowning. "Are you sick?"
Alina looked at them, the ones who always fawned over her, copied her. And for the first time, she didn't care what they thought.
"I'm fine," she said flatly. Then she stood and walked away.
The truth was, she wasn't fine.
Not even close.
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She texted Kian.
> "Talk to me."