Rhythm Of Deceit

Chapter 30: The Unraveling

The air around campus felt thick with tension as I tried to return to a normal routine. Sofia’s betrayal had left a bitter taste, and I couldn’t shake the unease creeping into every corner of my life. Every conversation seemed to have an edge, and every stranger’s look seemed full of judgment.

I met up with Adler and Julian later that day, wanting to regroup. We had to figure out our next steps, and I could feel the urgency growing. Adler’s eyes were dark with intensity as he discussed Sofia and Rio, still rattled by how close we had been to these people and how little we really knew about them.

Julian glanced around to ensure we were alone. “I still don’t get what Sofia thought she’d gain from all of this. What did she expect would happen if she tore you down?”

“She doesn’t care about anyone but herself,” Adler muttered, looking down. “But she’s not our biggest problem right now. There’s still Rio.”

I nodded, the unease spreading through me again. “And he’s still out there, lurking, waiting. He’s done with using Sofia, so what’s his next move?”

Adler clenched his jaw, looking out toward the campus courtyard. “He’s angry, Aniya. If we don’t act fast, I don’t know what he’ll do next.”

The worry on Adler’s face unsettled me. In all this time, I hadn’t seen him look truly afraid, and that alone was enough to make me realize how serious the situation was becoming.

As we continued talking, a voice echoed behind us. “Speaking of Rio…”

We turned to see Lily walking toward us, her expression tense. “I just saw him in the library, looking through stacks of records. He looked like he was searching for something.”

I frowned, trying to make sense of it. “Why the library?”

“Who knows?” Julian said. “But he’s up to something, that’s for sure. He doesn’t just hang out at the library for no reason.”

A chill ran through me as I remembered the look in Rio’s eyes the last time I’d seen him. He’d been distant and unreadable, but there had been a simmering anger behind his gaze. I realized I couldn’t put off confronting him any longer.

Later that evening, Adler, Julian, and I headed to the library, hoping we could catch Rio off guard. The usually quiet space felt tense with anticipation as we navigated through the aisles, glancing between the bookshelves for any sign of him.

Finally, near the back, we found him standing alone, his attention on an old book in his hands. When he noticed us, he didn’t seem surprised; instead, he gave a cold smile that sent shivers down my spine.

“Looking for something?” Adler’s voice was laced with anger as he stepped forward, standing between me and Rio.

Rio’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes glinting with a strange mixture of anger and satisfaction. “Actually, yes. I’m looking for answers. You know, Aniya, for a while, I thought I had everything figured out. But you just kept surprising me.”

I swallowed, feeling Adler tense beside me. “What do you mean?”

Rio laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the shelves. “Don’t play dumb, Aniya. You know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve had everyone wrapped around your finger this whole time, haven’t you?”

Adler stepped forward, his fists clenched. “Enough of this, Rio. We’re not here to play your games.”

Rio’s eyes darkened as he looked at Adler. “Games? Isn’t that what this has been about the whole time? A game between us, to see who wins her heart?”

I felt my stomach churn at his words. This wasn’t love—this was possession, control. Everything he had done, every scheme and lie, had all been part of some twisted fantasy in his mind.

“Rio, you need help,” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “This isn’t healthy. This obsession… it’s destroying you.”

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something else in his expression—something almost vulnerable. But just as quickly, his gaze hardened again.

“I don’t need help,” he hissed. “I just need you to understand that I was the one who was there for you from the beginning. Adler just swooped in, pretending to be the hero, but I saw you first.”

Adler took a step closer to him, his voice a low warning. “Rio, whatever issues you have, take them out on me. Leave Aniya out of this.”

Rio smirked, crossing his arms. “Oh, it’s too late for that. Aniya’s already involved, whether you like it or not. And she deserves to know the truth.”

I looked at him, my heart pounding. “What truth?”

Rio’s smile faded, his face becoming almost hauntingly serious. “The truth about who Adler really is. You think he’s your savior, but he’s been hiding things from you, too. Secrets you don’t know.”

I glanced at Adler, seeing a flash of discomfort in his expression. My mind raced, wondering what Rio could possibly be talking about.

“Don’t listen to him, Aniya,” Adler said, his voice tense. “He’s just trying to confuse you, to make you doubt everyone around you.”

Rio’s gaze never left mine. “Are you sure about that, Adler? Or are you just afraid that she’ll find out who you really are?”

Adler’s silence was answer enough. A thousand questions bubbled up inside me, but I didn’t dare ask them here—not with Rio watching us like a predator eyeing its prey.

Taking advantage of my hesitation, Rio leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. “You think you know him, Aniya. But there’s so much more you don’t see. And when you finally realize it, you’ll understand why I’m the one who truly cares about you.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving us standing there, stunned and shaken. I looked at Adler, searching his face for answers, but he wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“What was he talking about, Adler?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He looked down, his face conflicted. “Aniya, there’s a lot I need to explain… but now isn’t the time. Please, just trust me.”

I wanted to believe him, to brush off Rio’s words as nothing more than the rantings of a desperate man. But there was a part of me that couldn’t ignore the doubt that had taken root, a nagging feeling that there was something Adler was hiding.

As we left the library, Julian walked beside me, his gaze steady and reassuring. “Aniya, don’t let Rio’s words get to you. He’s just trying to drive a wedge between you and Adler.”

But as we walked in silence, Rio’s words echoed in my mind, filling me with a growing sense of dread. Who was Adler, really? And what was he hiding from me?

That night, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling as doubts swirled in my mind. I thought of all the moments Adler had been there for me, his unwavering support and loyalty. But now, shadows hung over those memories, casting everything in a new light.

I wanted to trust him, to believe that he was the person I thought he was. But as long as Rio’s accusations lingered, I knew I wouldn’t find peace.

I had to get to the truth—no matter what it cost.

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End of Chapter 30

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