My trembling hand 124_Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine

Chapter 124 It’s Over

 Chapter 124 It’s Over

 ARDEN

 Bethany’s arms were around me, holding me like I was the most precious person in the entire world. didn’t have much strength, but I leaned into her, burying my head into her chest, my hand gripping what little fabric I could.

 I lifted my eyes sluggishly.

 That’s when I saw we were surrounded. Not only that, but beside Mr. Winters were none other than Kieran and Jaxon

 I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. Even knowing what they were capable of, even after all their masks had fallen, I never thought they’d sink this low,

 “Hey, sis,” Kieran smirked.

 Jaxon couldn’t meet my gaze. His eyes shifted away. He turned slightly–just enough that I couldn’t see his expression.

 “Why?” I whispered. My voice came out hoarse. “Why are you guys doing this?”

 “You’re better off dead,” Kieran replied coldly. “And with you gone? I get to be normal again. Just me with a shiny new job at the United Factions once Mr. Winters wins.”

 My heart cracked. And then shattered when Jaxon finally turned to Cade and not me.

 “If I can’t have Arden,” he said quietly, “then neither can you. No one can have her.

 Bethany’s grip tightened around me. She was breathing hard. Her heartbeat was frantic in my ears.

 “Stay with me,” she whispered.

 I nodded.

 But deep down, I didn’t know if I could.

 We were surrounded. They had us. And I saw the same realization in Cade’s eyes. Even in Rowan’s.

 We were trapped.

 Even if I died… even if Cade escaped, even if he fought with everything he had–it wouldn’t matter. Because Mr. Winters had already won in the ways that mattered. He would spin the narrative. me the chaos on Cade. Criminalize Rowan The North would fall apart. The people would panic. Our allies would

 abandon us.

 My death would be painted like a tragedy Cade caused in desperation

 Bethany’s word would be discredited as illness–induced delusion.

 I couldn’t stop the tears. They slid down my cheek as silent sobs rocked through me. My head ached. My limbs burned. But the pain couldn’tpare to the grief eating me alive from the inside,

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 Chapter 124 It’s Over

 “Shh, shh…” Bethany muttered, rocking me gently. “It’s okay. It’s alright

 Still, despite it all, I pushed myself up. My knees buckled, and Bethany tried to hold me back, but Thinke free. My legs wobbled like a newborn’s. My breath rasped out in wheezes.

 Mr. Winters‘ eyes widened.

 “Well,” he muttered, “that’s a surprise. This poison of mine isn’t as strong as I thought. You shouldn’t be standing right now. That’s a shame.”“

 I didn’t answer. My gaze flicked over the crowd, scanning faces. And then I saw someone familiar.

 Cecily.

 A senior from Silver Quill. She had been kind to me ever since. I remembered her smile.

 And yet here she was, now, standing in the enemy’s camp, her expression almost ashamed. Her eyes met mine and then darted away.

 It seemed everyone had their price.

 I kept walking until I reached Cade’s side. His hand immediately came to hold me, arm cradling my waist, supporting me. I could feel the anguish in his silence.

 “You’ll never win,” I said to Mr. Winters.

 He smirked. “But haven’t I already?”

 He stepped forward slowly. “Let me paint the picture for you, darling.”

 He gestured around. “I gave you a chance to fight fair and square. I offered Cade a simple deal–withdraw, and I’d give you everything. But now? You’ve refused. You can’t change my mind.”

 He sneered. “I can manipte everything to my liking. Cade will be the bad guy. I have thirty witnesses who will swear they saw him lose control. That he kidnapped you. That he went feral.”

 He turned to Rowan. “And your little friend over there? Rowan’s parents will suppress any involvement. We all know they only tolerate him to protect their reputation.”

 Rowan’s expression hardened.

 “And once you die,” Mr. Winters said, turning back to me, “and Cade loses his mind, the North will crumble. They’ll turn on him in a heartbeat. Nobody wants an unstable leader. He’ll be disqualified by force. Executed, even.”

 “And that girl,” he sneered, pointing toward Tessa. “Shame I didn’t get to taste her, but she’ll die with you. What a treat, right? Besties even in heaven.”

 A low growl ripped from Rowan’s throat.

 “And Bethany Winters?” He scoffed, “Nobody believes a delusional, dying woman. What she says–what she saw–will be dismissed and forgotten.”

 Mr. Winters spread his arins, as if weing apuse.

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 Chapter 124 It’s Over

 I’ve already won,” he whispered. “Fair and square, Arden. No matter what. No matter whos

 Chuckles filled the air, mocking and cruel.

 “Do you get it now?” Mr. Winters asked with that damned smile, cocking his head.

 I looked up slowly, voice brittle but loud. “It’s not over.”

 Moreughter echoed.

 I coughed once, hard enough to taste iron. Bethany’s grip trembled behind me, like she wanted to yank back down. Cade was whispering something under his breath, desperate. But I pushed forward.

 me

 “It’s not over until it’s over,” I said louder.

 That got their attention.

 I turned toward the line of Elite students in front of me, weapons still drawn, eyes watching like wolves told to sit still. Cecily was among them, her jaw tight. Some shifted, some looked away. The guilt on a few faces was unmistakable.

 “You’re vile,” I spat, breath hitching. “All of you.”

 The word cracked the silence.

 “You joined this school to be leaders. To be the best. You swore to protect the people beneath you. But now look at you.” I dragged my gaze over the students, one by one. “Instead of fighting the system, you got conquered by it.”

 Cecily flinched.

 “You’ve turned your des toward your own, just to please the man who offered you points on a scoreboard. You’ll never win. Not like this.”

 “Oh, don’t be a bother, Arden,” Kieran spat. “Just die in fucking peace, will you? Even now, you want to make a fuss?”

 My re cut toward him, no longer trembling-

 I’ll make a fuss until myst breath,” I said, then turned my gaze to Jaxon. “And you.”

 His eyes lifted.

 “I should’ve never been

 n your mate.”

 He clenched his fists but didn’t saya word. I hoped the silence hurt him more than anything else.

 I turned back toward Cade and our eyes locked. His expression broke me. There was pleading in it. A hundred thousand reasons to stop. 

 But I didn’t.

 “I may die.” I said, voice rising, “but my death will mean something”

 Chapter 124 It’s Over

 Cade stepped toward me, but I lifted my hand, “No. Don’t stop me

 He froze, breathi ragged.

 “Cade will fight for me,” I whispered. “Because he loves me.”

 Cade let out a strangled sound, and I felt Bethany’s fingers digging into my arm behind me.

 “And that’s one thing all of you will never have or understand. Not Mr. Winters, Not Kieran. Not Jaxon 1 took onest breath. “Because love demands courage. And you don’t have an ounce of that.”“ 

 Silence conquered the clearing for a few moments, only heavy breathing wing through.

 Then. Mr. Winters snorted. “Are you done?”

 I faced him, jaw set.

 “Let us go then,” he said with mock graciousness before turning to the students.

 “Arrest Cade and Rowan. Leave the threedies here.”

 “No.” I said.

 He raised a–brow.

 Rowan let out a low growl, beginning to shift, and Cade took a protective step in front of me.

 They were all getting ready to fight.

 Mr. Winters raised his hand.

 Just then, footsteps filled the silence. They were louder than before.

 Heavier. Faster.

 And more of them.

 The sound of people emerging from the woods. From the trees. From all directions.

 Everyone’s head snapped toward the bushes.

 Elias stepped through.

 His hair was a mess, twigs stuck in his cor, and there was mud on his cheek. But he was grinning. He held a phone in his hand.

 “It’s over, you say?” he called out.

 He lifted the phone higher.

 “Tell that to our audience.”

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My trembling hand 124