Unraveled at 'I Do'

Diego yanked her hair, forcing her to face the crowd.

"It's her! She told me she was some poor, mistreated student. Said she'd admired me for years! I pitied her, gave her money—and how did she repay me? The second she found someone richer, she turned on me! Accused me of assault, ruined my life! I lost my wife, my business—everything!"

"No! That's not true!" Aurora fought to break free, but Diego's rant drowned her out.

Worse? Some people actually bought it.

"Look at her—she's got that seductive vibe. No way she's innocent."

"She's a dancer, right? That whole industry's built on stringing men along. Bet those awards weren't just for talent."

"What's she even doing at a hospital? Maybe she really does have something nasty."

At that, the crowd recoiled, some covering their noses like she was contagious.

Someone shoved her.

Another grabbed at her clothes.

A third held up their phone, filming every humiliating second.

It only stopped when hospital staff rushed in, breaking up the mob before things got worse.

Diego? He slipped away before anyone could stop him.

"Ms. Diaz, given the situation, we can't take any risks. You need to check out immediately."

Just like that, she was cast out. A walking scandal. Even on the streets, whispers followed her, strangers murmuring like she was some kind of urban legend.

She felt hunted.

By the time she reached home, her legs gave out. She collapsed onto the floor, too drained to move.

Minutes passed. Maybe hours.

Then, slowly, she pushed herself up.

She couldn't leave with this filth still clinging to her name.

Hardly anyone knew the truth about Diego. But the person who did? The one with the perfect motive to twist the story?

Marco Ramírez.

A cold wave crashed over her. Every secret, every vulnerable moment she'd ever shared with him—he'd turned them into weapons, stabbing her right where it hurt.

Her vision blurred. She wiped her eyes, grabbed her phone—barely functional from the flood of messages—and called her carrier. Blocked every unknown number.

Silence. Almost deafening.

Then, she did something she swore she never would.

She reinstalled the video app.

A few quick taps, and there it was—the footage of Marco's so-called proposal. The proof Sofia had lied.

Ironic. She'd once thought it would be the best moment of her life, even set up a secret camera to record it. Instead, it had captured the truth that would clear her name.

Next, she contacted the police. Through them, she got the elevator security footage—solid proof that Marco had locked her inside that day.

With everything in hand, she sent it straight to the school's official account.

[I'm sorry my situation brought negative attention to the school. Please release this footage—it should put the rumors to rest.]

Drowning in public backlash, the school reviewed the evidence. Finding no issues, they released a statement, officially setting the record straight.

Aurora didn't waste time on emotions. She packed.

The next morning, at the airport, she was checking in when a new message popped up on her screen.

[Regret it yet? Come apologize to Sofia, and I might be able to save you.]

Marco.

Aurora let out a cold laugh.

Without hesitation, she popped out her SIM card, tossed it in the trash, and boarded her flight to Fremora without looking back.