The unbroken heiress

CHAPTER 3 — Shadows Behind Smiles

Ariella Cole had always trusted people too easily. She had trusted her parents, her teachers, her classmates, and most of all, Vanessa. But lately, cracks were appearing in the polished world of Colewood Academy—tiny cracks that hinted at something dark hiding beneath the smiles of those around her.

Kian Hale had grown quieter since the cheating accusation. He was polite, he was disciplined, he studied harder than anyone else, yet he carried a subtle weight, as if invisible hands were pressing down on him. Ariella noticed it immediately.

“Are you okay?” she asked after class, as they walked side by side toward the courtyard.

Kian hesitated, looking down at his shoes. “I… I just don’t understand why this is happening,” he said quietly. “I’ve never hurt anyone. I try to stay out of trouble.”

“You didn’t,” Ariella said firmly. “And I promise, I’ll find out who’s behind this. You’re not alone.”

He looked at her, really looked at her, and something in his chest softened. He had never been treated with such unwavering kindness by anyone outside of his small family, and Ariella’s faith in him felt like sunlight breaking through a stormy sky.

But someone was watching.

Vanessa Reid leaned against a tree across the courtyard, a small, almost invisible smile on her face. She had followed them from the classroom, just to see the moment Kian looked at Ariella. The smile on Ariella’s face, the light in her eyes, the trust she offered so freely—it was poisonous to Vanessa.

She’s not mine anymore, Vanessa thought bitterly. She’s letting him take her place. He’s taking everything I deserve.

And that’s when the first idea formed—a small, insidious idea that would grow into a plan capable of destroying Kian’s life entirely.

---

Later that evening, Ariella returned home to Colewood Manor, her sanctuary of marble floors and velvet curtains. She had always loved coming home. The house smelled faintly of her mother’s favorite lilies, and the warm glow of the chandeliers always made her feel safe.

Her father, Richard Cole, was in the library, reviewing company reports. Her mother, Elena, was in the garden, tending to the roses she loved so much. Ariella ran to her mother first.

“Mom!” she called, hugging her tightly.

Elena smiled warmly, brushing Ariella’s hair from her face. “There’s my independent little girl. How was school today?”

Ariella hesitated. Could she tell her mother about the cheating accusation? About Kian? About Vanessa’s envy?

“I… I think someone’s trying to hurt Kian,” Ariella said finally, her voice trembling slightly.

Elena’s eyes softened. “He’s a good boy, isn’t he?”

Ariella nodded. “The best. But I think… I think Vanessa—my best friend—is involved.”

Elena frowned, worry knitting her brows. “Vanessa? But she’s been your friend for years. Are you sure?”

Ariella bit her lip. “I don’t know… but the timing, the whispers, the notes… it doesn’t add up. And I can’t shake the feeling that she’s jealous.”

Richard appeared behind Elena, adjusting his glasses. “Jealousy is a dangerous thing,” he said quietly. “It’s often hidden under kindness until it strikes. Watch carefully, Ariella. Sometimes the people closest to us are the ones we need to be most cautious of.”

Ariella nodded solemnly. I have to protect him… I have to protect Kian.

---

The next day at school, Vanessa’s plans began in earnest. She waited until the hallways were nearly empty, then slipped into the supply office. Her hands moved quickly, deliberately, taking just enough items to create suspicion, but not enough to leave a trace of her involvement.

Later that afternoon, she “discovered” the missing items and whispered the news to a few students. Soon, rumors swirled: Kian was at it again, stealing from the school.

Ariella stormed into the principal’s office as soon as she heard. “This has to stop!” she said. “Kian isn’t like that. Someone is framing him!”

The principal, a patient man named Mr. Langston, looked weary. “Ariella, I believe you. But you have to understand, multiple reports… they can’t be ignored. I’ll be reviewing the security cameras, but until then, we must follow protocol.”

Ariella clenched her fists. Protocol meant waiting. And waiting meant Kian would suffer longer.

She stormed out, determination blazing in her eyes. I will find out the truth.

---

By the weekend, Ariella was following her instincts more than ever. She noticed subtle things—Vanessa always being in the wrong place at the wrong time, laughing quietly when Kian looked anxious, and somehow, always knowing what Kian was planning before he even spoke.

Ariella began keeping a journal of every suspicious event, every incident that might point toward Vanessa. The process was exhausting, but she refused to give up. She would not allow jealousy to ruin someone she cared about—or even worse, someone who had done nothing wrong.

Kian, unaware of the full extent of Vanessa’s plotting, continued to trust Ariella. “I don’t know why you care so much,” he said one afternoon as they walked home from the academy.

Ariella glanced at him. “Because someone has to. Someone has to stand up for what’s right.”

He gave her a small, grateful smile. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

And at that moment, Vanessa’s voice echoed in the back of Ariella’s mind—though she hadn’t said a word. The jealousy simmering in Vanessa was ready to strike, and Ariella’s kindness would be the first weapon Vanessa tried to destroy.

---

The week’s tension reached its peak during a school charity gala. Ariella attended with elegance, her presence commanding attention without effort. Kian accompanied her, looking slightly uncomfortable among the wealthy parents and glittering chandeliers, but Ariella’s hand on his arm steadied him.

Vanessa appeared beside Ariella, wearing a flawless smile. No one suspected the scheming mind beneath that face. She had whispered to a few influential students, planting false rumors about Kian—accusing him of attempting to cheat on a school test, of lying about his scholarship.

By the end of the evening, whispers had spread like wildfire. Ariella’s stomach churned as she overheard snippets.

“Did you hear about him?”

“Yeah… apparently he’s… dishonest.”

She turned to Kian, whose jaw was tight. “I’ll handle this,” she whispered.

He shook his head. “I don’t want to cause trouble for you.”

Ariella gripped his hand. “You’re not causing trouble. You’re being yourself. And that’s worth defending.”

Meanwhile, Vanessa smiled sweetly, her eyes cold as steel.

The first round of attacks had begun. And Ariella, with all her kindness, her wealth, and her heart, was unaware of just how far Vanessa was willing to go.

---

By the time Ariella returned home, the mansion was quiet. Richard was still in the library, Elena in her garden. But Ariella didn’t care about home comforts. She was consumed by one thought: I must protect him. I must protect Kian.

Little did she know, Vanessa’s envy would only grow stronger from here. And the next strike would not be a rumor or a note—it would be calculated, cruel, and designed to hurt not just Kian, but Ariella herself.

Vanessa had learned something crucial: if she could break Kian, she could break Ariella.

And she had only just begun.