The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 52

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes**
**by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 52**

“And I will bear her punishment too if I fail,” Aliyah interjected swiftly, her voice firm before Madam Olga could utter a word.

“What are you doing, Aliyah? No!” Alessa exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“It’s alright,” Aliyah reassured her, a calmness in her tone that belied the storm brewing inside her. Yet, Alessa shook her head vigorously, refusing to accept this reckless decision.

“No, Madam Olga. I will take the test,” Alessa declared, her voice trembling but resolute.

“Step back, Alessa,” Madam Olga commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. Alessa sighed, a wave of anxiety washing over her, but she complied, taking a hesitant step back.

“It’s okay, really,” Aliyah repeated, her voice soft but laced with determination.

With her hands clasped firmly behind her back, Aliyah positioned herself in front of the table, her heart racing as the weight of the moment pressed down upon her.

Alessa, standing a few paces away, whispered fervent prayers under her breath, her mind racing with the hope that Aliyah would succeed. Yet, lurking in the shadows of her thoughts was the fear that if she didn’t, the punishment could be dire—perhaps even fatal.

“Go,” Madam Olga ordered, her voice slicing through the tension in the air.

In an instant, Aliyah seized the gun, loading it with a speed that reflected both her urgency and her fear. She corked it with a practiced motion and pulled the trigger.

As the sound echoed in the room, she dropped the gun, her breath coming out in a heavy, ragged gasp.

Madam Olga’s gaze flickered to her watch, and her expression hardened.

“Fifteen seconds. You have failed,” she announced coldly, and Alessa’s heart plummeted, panic igniting within her chest.

Without hesitation, Madam Olga drew her own weapon and fired, the shot ringing out like a death knell. Aliyah cried out in agony as the bullet struck her leg, collapsing to the ground in a heap of pain. Alessa’s scream pierced the air, and the other students recoiled in shock as they watched the scene unfold. Instinctively, Alessa dashed to Aliyah’s side, her heart racing.

“No one is to assist her. Alessa will take her to the nurse herself,” Madam Olga ordered sharply, her voice brooking no dissent as students hesitated, their concern evident.

“Class dismissed,” she commanded, turning on her heel and striding away, leaving a trail of hushed whispers and pitying glances behind her.

“I told you not to do this! I could have handled it!” Alessa cried out, her body trembling with fear and frustration.

“It’s alright, I’m okay,” Aliyah managed to reassure her, though the pain was evident in her voice.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” Alessa sobbed, guilt washing over her like a tidal wave.

“It’s fine, just help me get up,” Aliyah urged, her voice strained yet steady.

Alessa nodded, hastily wiping away her tears as she summoned every ounce of strength she had left.

With a grunt of effort, she helped Aliyah to her feet, but the moment was short-lived. Aliyah leaned heavily against her, and Alessa winced as a sharp pain shot through her back.

As they attempted to move, Alessa faltered, her legs giving way beneath her. She crumpled to the floor, pulling Aliyah down with her.

Alessa gasped, placing her hands protectively over her stomach as pain radiated through her body.

“Hey, hey, are you alright?” Aliyah asked, concern etched on her face as she tried to inch closer to her friend.

“Could you run some tests on me? I need to know if my babies are okay; they haven’t been kicking much lately,” Alessa confessed, her heart aching at the thought.

The nurse’s expression turned sympathetic as she shook her head gently.

“I’m really sorry, but I can only follow Madam Olga’s orders. Unless it’s an emergency, I can’t help you,” she replied, and Alessa nodded, understanding the limitations.

“I’m sure they’re fine,” the nurse added, offering a reassuring smile.

“Thank you,” Alessa said softly, her heart heavy as the nurse walked away.

Turning her gaze back to Aliyah, she noticed her friend had already succumbed to sleep, the nurse’s medication taking effect.

With a heavy exhale, Alessa closed her eyes, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on her.

Slowly, thoughts of Bryan crept into her mind, and she found herself repeating a mantra in her head.

‘I hate him.’

Memories of her parents surfaced too, and the betrayal she felt was sharp and bitter.

A single tear slipped down her cheek as she sniffed, anger boiling within her.

“Bryan deserves to suffer. They all deserve to suffer!” she whispered fiercely to herself, her heart aching with the weight of her emotions.