As the class ended, Oliver stood up and quietly exited the room. Edward sighed, pushing himself up from his seat. Just then, a group of three girls approached him with bright expressions.
"Hi, Edward," one of them greeted sweetly.
"Hi," Edward replied with a soft smile.
"If you don't mind…" another girl began, "can we walk with you in the hallway?"
Edward nodded. "Yeah, sure."
Across the classroom, Charles watched them with a faint frown. He sighed, stood up, and turned to Aclaric. "Come with me," he said.
Aclaric blinked. "Okay." He stood and followed Charles out to the garden.
Once outside, Charles turned to him with a serious expression. "Who is your mother?"
Aclaric hesitated. "I… I don't know."
Charles frowned, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Why?"
"She died… while giving birth to me," Aclric said quietly.
Charles's eyes widened in shock. "Oh… I'm sorry. But then—why are you living with us?"
