-

: Beauty

s of Ridgewood High. The desks were perfectly arranged, the walls adorned with motivational quotes about

rs, not just because of her strict nature but because she hadn't aged a day in over a decade. It was a mystery even to he

o guiding hand to pull her forward. Education became her lifeline, the only way she saw out of the cycle of suffering. She wo

her life ch

and she had been left with a child when she was barely more than one herself. That moment could have destroyed her, but Helen r

re than what had happened to her. Teaching had become her calling, not just because she loved knowledge, but becaus

e door pulled her o

incipal echoed through the classr

. Whatever the issue was, she would handle i

her institution-it was the best. Discipline was the foundation here, and students were expected to meet the highest standard

desk-Jake Evans and Andrew. The air was thick with tension. Both boys lo

er sharp gaze sweeping ov

A reckless display of aggression. I want them punished, but

boys who built walls around themselves, hiding behind arrogance and rebellion. But there was someth

willing to back down. Two different boys,

nd the rest of the day in detention. No arguments. But mor

ed. "And w

strength isn't measured by how hard you can hit som

pal gave her an approving nod, and

ad spent years mastering self-control, learning to turn her pain into

pered to herself, "Discipline is the br

student who passed through h

-

tudents who loitered in the hallways instantly straightened, whispering under their breaths b

ething different

like him. There was a rawness to him, a fire in his eyes that reminded her

er. Expelled from his previous school. A history of fighting, bad beha

believe in

om, the sound of the bell signaled the end of a period. Soon, the room would be fill

hem would b

him. He strolled in last, hands in his pockets, exuding the kind of care

For a moment, ne

Evans, I assume you kn

. "Depends o

ised an eyebrow. "Then let me make this simple. In my class, re

she didn't blink, didn't waver. And after a long, ch

ment had never happened. "No

when she noticed Jake wasn't writing. Instead,

s," she c

to her laz

e floor, each step slow and deliberate. "Tell me, is t

ir, arms crossed. "That dep

kind of smile that sent a chi

led. "Soun

resting for you. Every time you fail to pay attention, you will write me a two-pa

ss went

ltered. "You're

joke about education, Mr. E

shifted in his expression. He wasn't used to being challenged-not

ront of the class. "Goo

He was different from the rest, but she knew one thi

not, she was about to teach h

-