Stephanie's POV:
If I signed this and lost, I’d be agreeing to a school year of humiliation. Every ounce of respect I’d have would vanish, leaving me as nothing more than Akira’s toy. But if I refused, would I lose my place in this world altogether? Would the whispers of weakness haunt me forever?
The pen felt heavier in my hand than it should have, as if the weight of the world’s judgment bore down on my trembling fingers. I hovered over the dotted line, my heart pounding like a war drum. Around me, the crowd leaned in, their whispers merging into an overwhelming hum that buzzed in my ears.
Akira stood across from me, her smirk razor-sharp, her eyes gleaming with unrestrained triumph. She looked as though she’d already won. Aiden lingered at the back of the room, his expression unreada
