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"Don\'t you care at all about what Clara underwent because of your boyfriend? They raped her, Hera," Noel forced the words out as if it tortured him to utter those despicable words, his voice filled with grief. Hera opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Noel shook his head in disappointment as if he was ashamed of her when Hera stared at him in stunned silence. 

Hera could see the hurt that crossed Noel\'s face when he glanced at Clara. They both had tears in their eyes. The affection, the concern, the anger, everything their eyes displayed when they looked at each other was all genuine. Hera blinked and came out of her stupor when Clara scoffed, catching her attention. 

"No matter what, you would never let him go," Clara said. It was a statement, and Hera didn\'t even try denying it. "I can\'t blindly believe everything you say, Clara. I\'m yet to speak with Hunter about it," Hera said defensively. The other girl sneered at Hera in pity. "How naive are you, Hera? Do you think you\'ll go and ask him, and he\'ll magically admit his crime?" she asked incredulously.. 

Hera was at a loss for words as Clara stared at her in utter frustration. 

\'My Hunter never lies.\'

Hera wanted to voice it out but didn\'t. 

Only Hunter would be able to clear the accusations Clara made against him, and Hera would know if he lied to her. Until then, it would be unfair to jump to conclusions. 

\'He\'s innocent until proven guilty.\'

Sighing in frustration, Hera closed her eyes. She felt the headache slowly creeping its way around her temples. She opened her eyes to see Noel brushing his thumb under Clara\'s eyes, wiping her tears.

It shocked Hera more when the realisation dawned on her. When did Clara become so comfortable around Noel to disclose or discuss such personal and sensitive issues with him? She had no evidence to prove whether she was telling the truth or lying. Yet, she dared to go on and spit poison against Hunter with strangers like Noel and Adelaide. 

"Doesn\'t it bother you one bit that two of your best friends disappeared out of the blue after your boyfriend threatened them?" Noel asked, his tone indignant, eys judging her. 

\'Nate and Andi.\'

Hera thought about the two boys who were once her best friends. 

She never met or saw Nathan after Hunter threatened to kill him, and now that Hera thought about it, she realised the same happened with Andrew. 

"I don\'t know what would have happened to me if you had delayed a little more in coming here. Maybe I would have disappeared just like Nathan and Andrew. I\'m lucky that you reached in time and stopped him," Noel said while pretending to shudder in fright. Those few punches and kicks were nothing to him. He would gladly bear more if it meant to bring Hunter\'s destruction. 

"That asshole is a sadistic maniac. Humans are nothing more than pests to him. He would step on them, squash them under his feet and would walk away without feeling an ounce of guilt or regret," Clara spat the words, a disgusted grimace contorting her face. She tried to convince Hera that her only intention was to save Hera from Hunter because he was too dangerous and would only ruin Hera\'s life. 

"Noel wants you to break up with him because he wants revenge and wants to hurt Ace. I want you to break up with him because I care about you and want to protect you from the inevitable heartbreak," Clara admitted. Taking Hera\'s hands in hers, she squeezed them, pleading  with her eyes to consider her advice. "Think about it before it\'s too late, Hera," Clara insinuated. 

"He gets his kick in hurting people. The day is not far when he\'ll not spare you too, Hera. He has already hurt you emotionally many times, but it wouldn\'t surprise me if he did it physically too," it was Noel who spoke this time. Hera didn\'t want to listen to them utter another word against Hunter. But something seemed to force her mind to register their opinions or advice or whatever it was against her heart\'s will. 

Both Clara and Noel were almost convincing. Hera couldn\'t deny their accusations completely. She knew her boyfriend\'s temper and his violent side better than anyone else. 

Noel leaned his back against the wall, relaxing and smirking in satisfaction as he noticed how Hera\'s brows pinched together. She had her eyes cast down, staring at the lush grass in front of her but not seeing anything. She was processing everything, analysing their reasoning in her mind. 

Footsteps advancing towards them distracted everyone, putting a break to their thoughts. It was Adelaide, running in their direction, her bag dangling in her hand. She dropped it on the ground and fell on her knees in front of Noel. Breathing short pants, she looked at him, worry painted on her face while her eyes displayed compassion. 

"What has that asshole done to you," Adelaide said more to herself while holding Noel\'s face in her palms, searching for any injuries. "I just heard about the fight and came rushing to you. Are you okay?" she asked, voice filled with concern. Noel nodded and assured her that he had no serious injuries except the slight bruises here and there. 

"God, he\'s crazy dangerous," Adelaide muttered under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief, but Hera heard it loud and clear. Clenching her jaw, Hera studied her face when she caressed Noel\'s cheek affectionately. "You didn\'t seem to mind when you were throwing your slutty self at the said crazy dangerous asshole and shamelessly kissed him," Hera said, scoffing at Adelaide. She couldn\'t resist throwing the insult. 

Instead of feeling offended, Adelaide smiled at Hera. Placing her hands on either side of her, she leaned back, resting her body weight on her hands and stretched her legs. She was sitting too close for Hera\'s liking. "You caught me, Hera," Adelaide said, bumping her shoulder with Hera\'s playfully. "I\'m glad I don\'t have to pretend anymore," she admitted, winking at Hera. 

Hera glared daggers at the girl, but the latter only looked too pleased with her reaction and giggled, much to Hera\'s annoyance. 

"You know, my intention was only to separate the two of you from the beginning. But now that I think about it, it\'s not a bad idea to kiss that handsome boy and explore that hot body. It\'s worth a shot if I finally get to bang your heartthrob boyfriend," Adelaide said, sounding too satisfied with the implication. "In your dreams, Adelaide," Hera said before jumping to her feet. 

"Seriously, Hera, how long will it take for him to cheat on you?" Adelaide asked, an amused smile dancing on her lips. "I\'m determined to seduce him. So please don\'t come at me if he fails to keep it in his pants," she said, mockingly holding her hands up in surrender. Hera knew she would only provide more to their entertainment if she responded. So, gritting her teeth in anger, Hera bit back the insult. 

Beside her, Clara chuckled as though Adelaide had cracked a funny joke. Hera already knew what her ex-best friend was going to say even before she opened her mouth. 

"It doesn\'t matter, Adi, because it\'s nothing new. Hera has already experienced it before. She\'s used to him cheating on her," Clara announced, clicking her tongue in pity. "It won\'t be the first time he would cheat on her," she added. Hera inhaled and swallowed hard. Her heart panged as everything Clara said pierced right through it like a poisoned dagger. She blinked several times to hold her tears back. 

Turning her back to them, Hera dusted the dirt off her uniform skirt and was about to walk away when Noel opened his mouth, stopping her in her tracks. 

"I know, Hera, it hit home," Noel stated the obvious. Hera clenched her fingers, digging the nails into her palms. "She didn\'t lie, though. She didn\'t say anything wrong either," he said. Getting up, he limped his way to hold Hera\'s wrist and turned her to face them. Hera fought hard not to shed tears in front of them. "It\'s okay, Hera. I know how it feels," he admitted in a softer tone. 

However, for Hera, his words didn\'t do anything to comfort her. Instead, she felt like someone slapped her on the face. 

\'How many times would it come back to bite me in the back even though it wasn\'t my fault?\' 

Hera turned her head to the other side, avoiding Noel\'s pitiful gaze. 

At that moment, Noel found the loophole in Hera\'s determined heart. He knew one should strike while the iron is hot. 

"You said I should stop playing dirty," he said and waited, demanding Hera\'s attention. When he made sure she was listening, he continued, "I promise to do just that but on one condition." 

Hera frowned at him but nodded anyway, gesturing for him to go on. When Noel started talking, he spoke on behalf of both himself and Hera. He wanted her to realise how Hunter was the reason behind their miseries and how much Hunter hurt them both. Noel knew how it felt to lose someone you held dear to your heart, and Hera also had experienced how it felt when the love of your life cheats on you. 

"You know the feeling, Hera, and I know it too. But don\'t you think it\'s so unfair on us that he doesn\'t know that feeling?" Noel asked, frustration dripping from his tone.