o? Emily asked, h

ing. Now, Ethan replie

into the seat beside him. Here I am

ward Anna, who sat quietly in the corner, shou

llowing his gaze.

n pushed, no

ssmate, Emily

then why didn't anyone welcome her? Why

away. It's...

I asked for the truth, Ethan s

. I just pretended. Back then, Christabel loved her, and anyone who l

ce hardened. Wha

d to sabotage her. Anna refused. She said she wouldn't stoop that low. We begged, we pleaded. She wouldn

d

hed too. Same as the rest of us. But ever since th

again. You can go n

tood an

learned, the stronger the pull became. She wasn't ju

nutes

creetly, her head lowered, her hands clenched in her la

ned. He started to r

e? What if she doesn't

out his phone, and open

n Lu

y welcome balloons, thoughtful su

ational High School,

the gate. I'll

her. Say, We missed you, An

minutes. Don't let the even

rdinate this.

it s

en, he

never l

ht. Now, let me make them wis

hirty minutes,

here he sat near the gate, and his empl

ght smiles on their faces and colorful wel

, confused. Who ar

rs surrounded her, hugging her gently and handing her gift boxes wrapped in gold a

bling. Who are these people? And wh

t tightened at the sight of the men hugging her too man

ed, but he remained

irst, their faces reflected confusion... then g

slowly making their way to

for forgiveness, showering her with apologies for t

rst int

iness that had once consumed her. She cried openly, but for the first time...

d. Come, Anna, he said. She placed her hand in his, and he g

erupted

d, but this time, it wasn't

ing a finger, showered with compliments, and always

is kind of love before

ed to drop her off, but she smiled softly an

d they were carefully loaded in

e joy, Ethan neve

want to ruin her moment. S

rove off... only then

***

y, Ethan walked into his

d his se

ang

lo,

said coldly. And bring everyone

inutes, they all s

y my instructions? Ethan's

changed con

stepped forward, we d

. Where in my message did I

all echoed in unison,

e sharp enough to cut through steel. The room

moment, he

y. Calculate everything you spent. I

s,

ish. Al

ut of the office like schoolchildren

ck in his chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling, f

bout was the pain in her eyes, the tears she tried so hard to hide... and the

hatever t

and it yet. But o

just a stran

coming som

never left quest