LET'S BREAK THEM

CHAPTER 07: THE DIARY SECRET

Step 1: Make them underestimate me.

Step 2: Cut off Ben’s reputation.

Step 3: Take everything Arya has.

Step 4: Make Ben have nobody left but me.

Step 5: Walk into their house and burn it down.

Step 6: Use what I found.

8pm. Carter Group Rooftop.

Wind. Cold. City lights stretching for miles below us.

And Ben.

He was waiting. Hands in pockets. No bodyguards. No phone.

Just him.

"Kudo."

"Ben."

"You were on the 40th floor today."

His voice was flat. Accusation.

"Got lost." I shrugged. Innocent.

"In the executive office?"

He stepped closer. Close enough that I could smell his cologne.

"My desk was moved."

"So?"

He pulled out his phone. Swiped. Turned the screen to me.

Security footage.

Grainy. But clear enough.

Me. At his desk. Hand in my bag. Looking around.

Caught.

My stomach dropped. But my face stayed calm.

Breathe.

"So? I was looking for a pen."

Ben laughed. No humor. Just cold.

"Liar."

"Prove it." I tilted my head. "That footage doesn't show what was in my hand."

Silence. 10 seconds.

Wind whistling between us.

Then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

He looked tired. Older.

"I don't care about the pen. I care about her."

"Arya?"

"She's been weird. Crying. Not answering calls. Missing practice."

He looked at me. Really looked. "Did you see anything in my office?"

"Why would I?"

This was it. The moment.

The trap I'd been setting for 6 chapters.

I could lie. I could give it back and play nice.

Or... I could burn it all down.

I pulled the pink diary from my bag.

Slow.

Ben froze. Eyes went wide. "That's Arya's."

"I know." My voice didn't shake. "I found it."

I flipped to the page. The one I memorized.

And I read out loud. Clear. So the wind couldn't take it.

"'Ben's dad says we have to date for the merger. I hate it but we need the money. Ben doesn't know. He thinks I like him.'"

The color drained from his face.

Like I slapped him.

"What," he whispered.

"You heard me." I closed the diary with a snap. "Your perfect girlfriend?

She's using you. For your family's money. For the merger."

"No," he said. But his voice shook. "She loves me. She told me."

"Then why hide it?" I asked softly. "If it's nothing, why write it?"

I held the diary out. "Here. Read it yourself. Every page."

He didn't take it.

His hands were in fists.

Because at that second, we heard heels on the roof.

Click. Click. Click.

Arya.

She stopped when she saw us. Saw the diary in my hand.

Her face went white. Then red.

"Kudo," she hissed. Venom. "Give me that. That's mine."

"Or what?" I smiled. Sweet. "You'll tell everyone I'm a charity case again?

You'll post me?"

Arya looked at Ben. Pleading. Then at me.

And she knew. She'd lost.

The game was over.

"Ben, it's not—"

"Save it," Ben cut her off. Voice dead. Empty.

He didn't even look at her.

He looked at me one last time.

Eyes hurt. Betrayed.

Then he walked past both of us.

Didn't say another word.

Out.

Gone.

Arya lunged for the diary. I stepped back.

"Stay away from me," I said. Low. "And stay away from him."

"You're nothing," she spat. Tears falling now. "You're nobody."

"Maybe," I said. "But I'm the one he talked to in the rain."

I left her there, crying on the rooftop.

Alone.

Step 6: Complete.

Arya's secret is out.

And Ben? Ben is mine now.

`Chapter 7.

I gave him the truth.

Now let's see who he chooses.

-K`