Rebirth: Love me Again-Chapter 298: A Problematic Year

[Iraya]

I didn’t want to go to school. God knew I didn’t want to. But this was my last year, and ditching wasn’t an option—not with graduation so close. Just a few more months, and I’d be done with this place for good.

I sat in my car for a moment, gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing anchoring me to reality. With a deep breath, I forced myself to open the door and step out.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Just attend class and go home. How hard could that be?

The moment I set foot on campus, I felt it—the weight of a thousand stares pressing down on me like a physical force. Whispers floated through the air, faint but sharp, cutting into me with every step.

"Is that her?"

"Yes, that’s her."

"I can’t believe Lyander cast Stacy and the others aside for her."

"She’s not even that beautiful."

"What did Lyander see in her?"

"I don’t know. She’s not rich and she’s ugly."

I’m rich and I’m not ugly. I wanted to throw at them, but decided not to waste my time on them.

The insults continued, each word hit me like a dart, lodging itself deep into my chest. My heart pounded as I walked down the hallway, my head held high despite the rising lump in my throat.

They didn’t even bother lowering their voices. The gossip wasn’t subtle—it was meant to sting, to make me feel like I didn’t belong.

My steps faltered for a fraction of a second, but I forced myself to keep moving. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, the sound mixing with the whispers and the occasional snicker.

It was as though the entire school had decided to dissect me today. Every look, every murmured word felt like a judgment passed down, like I was on trial for daring to exist in their world.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. This wasn’t the first time I’d been the center of attention, but it was the first time it felt this . . . suffocating.

Lyander’s name hung in the air like a curse, a reminder of the chaos that had landed squarely on my shoulders.

I wanted to scream at them, to tell them they didn’t know the full story, that they had no right to judge me.

But I knew it wouldn’t make a difference. Their minds were already made up.

All I could do was keep walking, my gaze fixed straight ahead, pretending their words didn’t bother me.

Just a few more months, I reminded myself. A few more months, and I would never have to set foot in this place again.

Here’s the expanded and refined version of the scene, with plenty of drama, confrontations, and tension to keep readers engaged and feeling the anger you want them to feel:

"Iraya!"

Jason’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding, cutting through the sea of whispers like a blade. I froze mid-step, my heart sinking as I turned toward the source of the voice.

Jason was storming toward me, his face contorted with fury. Just a few paces behind him, Kylie followed, her expression just as sour.

Before I could fully process their approach, Jason was upon me. His hand clamped around my arm, and he all but dragged me down the hallway, steering me toward a less crowded corner near the stairwell.

"What the hell, Iraya?" Jason hissed, his voice low but brimming with anger as soon as we were out of earshot. "You and Lyander? Really?"

I yanked my arm free from his grip, crossing my arms tightly over my chest as I glared at him. "And why not?"

I shot back, tilting my head to the side defiantly. My voice was steady, calm even, but inside I could feel my blood boiling.

Jason’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "He’s bad news, Iraya. A total hooligan. He’s not the kind of guy you should be involved with."

Kylie, who had been standing a few feet away, chose that moment to chime in. "Jason’s right. Lyander’s nothing but trouble. He’s just using you, Iraya. Don’t be so naïve." Her tone was sharp and condescending, as if she were speaking to a child who didn’t know any better.

I laughed, a short, bitter sound that seemed to catch both of them off guard. "And you two are suddenly the experts on what’s good for me?" I said, leveling them both with a glare.

Jason stepped closer, his frustration evident in the way he raked a hand through his hair. "This isn’t about us. It’s about you not ruining your life over some rich playboy who’s probably got a dozen other girls on speed dial."

"That’s funny," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "You’re suddenly so concerned about my life now that Lyander’s involved. Where was all this energy before?"

Jason opened his mouth to respond, but Kylie cut him off, stepping forward with her hands on her hips. "You don’t get it, do you? Lyander’s reputation isn’t just rumors, Iraya. He’s reckless, selfish, and he’ll drop you the second he gets bored. He’s not the knight in shining armor you think he is."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "And what makes you think I’m looking for a knight in shining armor?" I asked, my voice cool. "Or that I care what you think, Kylie? The last time I checked, neither of you had a say in my life."

Jason’s face darkened, and I saw the faintest hint of something else behind his anger—jealousy. It flickered in his eyes, his jaw clenching just a little tighter as I mentioned Lyander. Kylie must have seen it too because she turned to him sharply, her voice rising.

"You’re jealous, aren’t you?" Kylie snapped, her eyes narrowing at Jason. "That’s what this is really about. You don’t care about Iraya or what Lyander might do. You just can’t stand the idea of her being with someone else."

"That’s not true!" Jason shot back, but his voice wavered slightly, betraying him.

Kylie let out a bitter laugh. "Don’t lie to me, Jason. You think I haven’t noticed the way you look at her? The way you’ve been acting ever since you two broke up?"

Jason turned to me, his expression conflicted, like he didn’t know whether to deny it or double down on his anger. "This isn’t about jealousy. I’m just trying to look out for Iraya. Lyander is—"

"Enough!" I cut him off, my voice ringing out louder than I intended. Both of them flinched, their eyes snapping back to me.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. "Let me make one thing clear: whatever you think Lyander is or isn’t, it’s none of your business. Neither of you has any right to tell me who I can or can’t be with."

Jason’s face fell, his anger replaced by something softer—regret, fear, maybe. But I didn’t care. Not anymore.

"And for the record," I continued, my voice steady, "Lyander is a rich prince who showers me with gifts and attention. He ’give me everything.’ And he’s not some hooligan or playboy like you think he is. That’s a lie you’ve told yourselves to make this easier to swallow. You two just don’t want me to be happy. The truth is, I don’t owe either of you an explanation. Not Jason, and certainly not you, Kylie."

Kylie bristled, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for a retort. When she found none, she turned on Jason instead.

"Are you just going to stand there?" she demanded, her voice laced with anger. "Say something!"

Jason looked like he wanted to, but I didn’t give him the chance.

"You don’t get to act like the knight in shining armor here, Jason," I said, my voice sharp. "Not after everything. You and I are over. You made your choices, and now I’m making mine. So do me a favor and stay out of it."

"Iraya, you–"

Read exclusive chapters at novelbuddy

Kylie grabbed Jason’s arm, tugging him away. "Come on, Jason. Let’s go. Iraya if Lyander break your heart, you know where to find me okay?" She suddenly shifted and now she was smiling sweetly. "Despite everything, and despite what you think, I still think of you as my bestfriend."

That’s the first lie she told in new year. Though I didn’t really care much. I knew Kylie. She’s the type who didn’t want others to be happy.

I stood there, my arms crossed, my chin held high as they walked away. Jason hesitated for a moment, glancing back at me one last time before Kylie pulled him along.

As they disappeared into the crowd, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My chest ached, not from their words, but from the weight of the inevitable confrontation with Lyander.

I hadn’t agreed to be his girlfriend, let alone his wife. The thought alone made me grit my teeth. My plan was simple: finish college, exact my revenge, and get the hell out of this place. But now, thanks to what I’d said to those two, it seemed like my fate was somehow intertwined with Lyander’s now.

They must think I was actually dating that arrogant asshole. A part of me wanted to correct them, to set the record straight. But the look of envy on Kylie’s face and the sheer anger in Jason’s eyes? That was too delicious to pass up.

Let them stew in their own assumptions. It didn’t matter. Once school was over, I’d be gone for good, far away from this town, from Jason, Kylie, and most definitely from Lyander.

At least, that’s what I told myself.