The walk back to class felt heavier than usual.
Angel walked ahead, her shoulders tense, the weight of the stares clinging to her like humidity in the air. Jordan stayed close, his presence acting like a protective shield. He didn't say much, but his occasional glances toward any whispering classmates made it clear—he was watching.
Victor watched them from the doorway as they entered. His jaw clenched slightly, hands deep in his pockets. He didn't miss the way Jordan gently nudged Angel's seat back for her to sit. Or how she actually looked at him when she said, "Thanks."
The whispers didn't stop. They just changed direction.
"That's the girl whose whole family—"
"—she was the only survivor, right?"
"—must've been so horrible."
Jordan turned around sharply, glaring at a group in the corner. They looked away.
Victor sat with Jayden, arms crossed. "He's enjoying this hero moment, isn't he?" he muttered.
Jayden raised a brow. "You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Victor didn't reply.
Just then, the classroom door opened.
Miss Dean walked in—not as their regular teacher now, but with purpose. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Angel.
"Angel, please step outside with me."
The class quieted.
Angel stood slowly, heart pounding. She followed Miss Dean out into the hallway. The woman led her to the empty staffroom, where she closed the door behind them.
"I heard what happened," Miss Dean said, her voice gentler than usual. "I also heard what was said."
Angel looked down.
Miss Dean sat beside her. "You don't have to speak, but I want you to listen. That moment today? It doesn't define you. What people say in ignorance cannot take away your strength."
"I didn't want anyone to know," Angel murmured. "Now everyone does."
"I know." Miss Dean placed a hand on hers. "But secrets like that... they eat you from the inside out."
There was a knock at the door.
A younger staff member peeked in, a bit breathless. "Captain Dewson is here. He says he's here for Angel."
Angel's head snapped up. "My dad?"
Miss Dean nodded. "You should go."
Captain Dewson didn't look like the calm, composed soldier everyone feared and respected. He looked like a father whose daughter had been hurt.
He stood by the reception desk, his uniform still pressed, his expression unreadable.
When Angel approached, he didn't say anything immediately. He opened the door for her and guided her to the car.
Once inside, the silence settled like dust.
"I got a call," he said finally, eyes on the road. "From your teacher."
Angel looked out the window.
He sighed. "Why didn't you tell me things were getting this bad?"
"I didn't want to bother you," she whispered.
He glanced at her briefly. "Angel, you're never a bother. I know I've been trying to give you space, but maybe I gave you too much."
She stayed quiet.
When they got home, the nanny greeted them, but Captain Dewson waved her off.
"Angel, go to your room. I'll be up in a few minutes."
She obeyed.
In her room, she sat on the bed, turning the bracelet around her wrist. Everything was blurry again.
There was a knock, and then he entered.
Captain Dewson didn't sit. He stood in front of her.
"I want to ask you something, and I want you to be honest."
She met his eyes.
"Are you okay?"
That simple.
"No," she said. "But I'm trying."
He knelt in front of her, something he hadn't done since she was a child.
"I know I haven't always said the right things. But I'm proud of you, Angel. You're stronger than you think."
Tears spilled.
She hugged him, for the first time in months. He held her tight.
"I'll talk to the school," he said. "They'll handle the ones who started this."
Angel shook her head. "I don't want drama."
"You've already had enough of that."
They stayed there in silence.
Later that evening, Bryan messaged her.
Jordan:You okay?
Angel:Trying to be.
Jordan:If you need a distraction, I can show you that math trick again. Just pretend to be confused so I feel smart.
She smiled.
Victor stared at his phone too, hovering over Angel's contact—but never pressing send.
Back at school, Juliet scrolled through old pictures on her phone. One of them showed Angel years ago… with someone unexpected.
The web was tightening. Secrets stirring. Trusts being tested.
And in the middle of it all—Angel.
Strong. Breaking. Rebuilding.
Still surviving.