đź’–Episode 13 Echoes in the Shadowsđź’–
1093 Words
Echoes in the Shadows
Kiara’s POV
It felt like the walls were closing in on her.
“Invalid user,” the screen repeated.
Her fingers trembled as she typed her ID again, slower this time. Her heart hammered as the result flashed across the screen once more.
No record found.
Kiara staggered back from the computer terminal. The quiet hum of the college library was suddenly deafening. Students walked past her, carefree and oblivious, while she stood in the middle of an unraveling mystery.
Her scholarship. Her classes. Her attendance. Everything—gone.
She rushed out of the library, heart pounding, legs shaking. Something was very, very wrong.
She dialed the administration office, fingers fumbling. “Hi, I’m Kiara Richardson, student ID—”
“Sorry,” the admin assistant interrupted, “we have no record of that name.”
What the hell is happening to me?
---
Christin’s POV
From his parked car across the street, Christin watched Kiara stumble out of the building, pale and breathless.
“She knows,” Liya said quietly beside him. “Someone’s erased her from the system.”
Christin’s jaw clenched. “It’s her. My mother’s behind this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Kiara’s getting too close. Regina wants her out before she uncovers anything else.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I have to talk to her. I have to fix this.”
“But Christin… what if your mother finds out?”
He looked away, fists tight. “Then I’ll deal with it.”
---
Regina’s POV
Regina Fernandes stood by the hotel window, watching the rain streak down the glass. Her phone buzzed.
“Yes?”
“She’s been removed from the database,” the voice said.
“Good.”
“Christin hasn’t confronted her yet.”
“He will. And when he does, he’ll hesitate. That hesitation will cost him.”
Her eyes narrowed as she turned to the file on her table. Inside it was a photo of Charles Richardson—once David Fernandes.
“You’ve hidden well, David,” she murmured. “But not well enough. Your daughter is too curious. And curiosity is dangerous.”
---
Kiara’s POV
Kiara slammed open the front door of their modest home, tears welling in her eyes.
“Laura?” she called. “Mom?”
Her sister Laura peeked out of the kitchen. “You’re home early. What’s wrong?”
Kiara’s voice cracked. “They erased me. The school... They say I don’t exist.”
Grace Richardson her mother walked in with a laundry basket. Her expression changed instantly. “What do you mean?”
“They wiped all my records. Scholarship, student ID... everything.”
Grace’s face turned pale. “That can’t be. We have the acceptance letter, the scholarship grant—”
“I tried showing them! They don’t believe it!”
Charles Richardson—her father—emerged from the hallway, silent.
“Dad...” Kiara’s voice softened. “Do you think someone did this on purpose?”
Charles looked down. “People like us... we don’t always get fair treatment.”
Kiara frowned. “What does that mean?”
Grace shot him a warning look. “Charles.”
“I’m just saying, sweetheart... maybe someone didn’t like you being there.”
Kiara studied his face, her instincts sharp.
You know something.
But she didn’t press. Not yet.
---
Ethan’s POV
From behind his tinted window, Ethan smiled as he watched the chaos unfold.
“She’s broken,” he muttered.
His hacker had done well.
Kiara was isolated. Vulnerable.
He sent a message: Phase one complete.
---
Christin’s POV
Christin waited by the library, scanning every student that walked by. Finally, he spotted her.
“Kiara!”
She turned, startled. “Christin?”
“We need to talk.”
“Did you know?” she demanded. “About my records? The scholarship? The system says I don’t exist!”
“I know. I’m trying to fix it.”
Kiara’s eyes filled with tears. “Why me? What did I do to deserve this?”
“You did nothing,” he said, stepping closer. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Then whose is it?”
He hesitated. “It’s... complicated.”
She looked into his eyes. “You’re hiding something. Just tell me the truth.”
Christin’s heart thudded. I can’t tell you your father is the man I thought was dead. That my mother is trying to erase you.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I can’t tell you. Not yet.”
Her face hardened. “Then don’t come near me until you can.”
She turned and walked away.
Liya's POV
"What happend Christin Why She's going in angry"
Chirstin sighed. "What should i do liya i am middle of this chaos"
"Don't worry everything will be alright christin"
" I hope and Where is theo i didn't saw him from morning" Christin asked.
oh i forgot to tell you in this chaos.he went to london with dad for a business meeting.
i didn't said anything to him about kiara. i thought to wait untill he come here.
Grace’s POV
Later that night, Grace sat quietly on the balcony while Charles stood near the railing, lost in thought.
“She’s getting too close,” Grace whispered.
“I know.”
“You said we’d be safe if we changed our names. If you became Charles Richardson instead of David Fernandes.”
“I didn’t expect her to go looking for answers.”
“You need to keep her away from that family.”
“I will. Even if it kills me.”
I am afraid of regina. i am afraid that she will do something to kiara.
"Don't worry grace i won't let her going that far. if she tried to harm kiara i have to break the line between me and ...."
Then suddenly a noise came from outside the window.
Charles went to check but nobody s were there.
"what's that noise charles"
Nobody is there grace may be a street cat jumped from upstair.
---
Victor De Souza’s POV
Victor adjusted his tie as he exited the boardroom. Regina’s presence was putting the whole company on edge.
And now, whispers were circulating that someone named Kiara was causing trouble.
He sighed.
“I wish you were here, David,” he muttered. “You’d know what to do.”
But David was here.
Just under a new name.
And Victor didn’t know it.
Yet.
To Be Continued...đź’–
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