Trapped by Seven Mafia Wolves novel Chapter 116

Betrayed… Again

Aurora’s POV

It’s been one week. 2 hours. 17 minutes. 43 seconds)

And I’m finally walking back into school.My heart pounds like a drum in my chest, loud enough I’m sure everyone can hear it. Every step feels heavy, like the hallways stretch out farther than I remember. The chatter of students swirls around me–a mix of laughter, gossip, and the usual chaos that I’ve missed more than I realized.

I’m terrified.

But I’m here.My friends flank me–Mia on my left, Zoe on my right–and they’re whispering and smiling, their easy energy a lifeline.We slip into English class just as the bell rings. Mrs. Thompson, our teacher, is already at the front, her warm smile easing some of my nerves.

“Good morning, everyone,” she begins, setting down her papers. “Today, we’re starting a new unit, and that means group projects.

“Groans ripple across the room.Mrs. Thompson raises a hand. “But don’t roll your eyes yet! This one’s a little different. Instead of the usual essays of presentations, you’ll work in groups of four to creatively explore a classic piece of literature.

“She clicks to a slide on the projector titled ‘Project Stories Reimagined.““You can choose any work we’ve read so far this year–or something you’d like to explore–and you’ll reimagine it in a new format. It could be a video, a podcast, a modern retelling, a graphic novel–you name it.

“I glance around as whispers break out. Some students look excited; others still skeptical.Mrs. Thompson continues, “I want you to be creative. Have fun with it.

“She smiles, eyes bright. “You’ll have two weeks to complete the project. I expect teamwork, effort, and, most importantly, creativity.

“The room buzzes.

“Alright,” she says, clapping her hands. “Form your groups now.

“I look to Mia, Zoe, and Liam. They’re already smiling, waiting.We gather our things and push our desks together.Mia leans in, eyes already serious. “Okay, team, we need a killer idea. Something that’ll actually make us want to do this project.

“Zoe bounces in her seat. “Yeah, no boring summaries or death–by–PowerPoint.

“Liam folds his arms, and holds his hands out. “Hear me out. Rap battles. Shakespeare style.

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“His head snaps forward from being smacked by Zoey who squints at him. “Liam, you are impossible.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to make this fun,” he says, says, rubbing his neck, as they no to glare at each other.Mia raises an eyebrow. “Rap battles? In front of the whole class? I don’t know about you… but I’d probably die.

“Liam shrugs. “You never know. Maybe she’d love it.

“Zoe leans forward, an evil grin on her face. “What if we did sock puppets? We make a puppet show for the scenes.

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“I’d die of embarrassment,” Liam says, shaking his head.Mia laughs. “More than a rap battle?“Zoe adds, “Or we rewrite Romeo and Juliet as a reality TV show. So much drama, crying, ridiculous confessions—“Liam chuckles. “I can already see the reunion episode.

“I smile, feeling the warmth of their excitement, and clear my throat softly.

“What if… we add like a texting conversation in the TV show. Like, the characters messaging each other on their phones?“There’s a brief pause.

Then Zoe lights up. “That’s GENIUS! Juliet sending Romeo memes instead of sonnets?“Liam grins.

“Romeo sliding into Juliet’s DMs.

“Mia pulls out her phone. “We could make fake chat screenshots, gifs, emojis–the works.

“We all laugh, the room filling with energy.

The bell rings, signaling the end of class.Mia starts packing up. “Okay, this project’s gonna be

awesome.

“Zoe nods, her eyes bright. “I can’t wait to start.

“Liam rubs his hands together, a grinch–like smile on his face. “Keeping up with the Capulets.

“I feel a small laugh escape me as Zoey grabs my hand, feeling lighter than I have in days.Mia nudges me. “Ready to grab some food? I’m fucking starving.

“Zoe nods eagerly. “FOOD.

“Liam stretches and his eyes widen. “There’s tater tots today. Run for them.

“The hallways are packed, the noise overwhelming but familiar. We weave through groups of students, their conversations buzzing around me like static.

“Did you hear about him and Savina?” someone whispers nearby.

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“Yeah… did you see them in the cafeteria?” another answers.My heart tightens at hearing her

name.Savina.

Immediately images flash through my head.

1. up.

I turn my eyes away but can’t stop the image from burning behind my eyelids.

But it’s too late.

Because I know that face.

That profile. That chain he never takes off. The small scar in the corner of his forehead.

That isn’t just any boy.

That isn’t some stranger.

It’s Nico.Nico.

The name crashes through me like glass–sharp and loud and unforgiving.My knees give slightly

and I stagger back, bumping into someone’s tray.

“Watch it,” someone mutters, but their voice is barely a whisper in the tornado roaring in my

ears.Nico.My breath hitches. The cafeteria seems to spin.He knew.He knew exactly who she was.

What she did. What she is.

And he’s still here. With her. Like none of it mattered.Like I didn’t matter.

“I need-” My voice cracks.Mia grabs my arm. “Aurora? What’s wrong?“I don’t answer. I can’t.

Because I’m watching my brother kiss the girl who made my life hell.

I’m watching him laugh with the person who held me down and smiled while I screamed.

The bile in my throat rises higher.

“I need to go,” I whisper, already stepping back.

“Wait, hey, what-“But I’m already pushing past them. My eyes sting, and I blink fast, swallowing it all down, but it keeps rising anyway. The heat, the confusion, the betrayal that doesn’t stop stabbing.My legs carry me out of the cafeteria like they’re on autopilot.

And behind me, somewhere in that loud, stupid room, Nico keeps laughing.

Chapter 116