Chapter 179

Chapter 179
Author's POV:

Diana Valenti hurried down the school hallway, her fingers nervously adjusting the red scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. The bruises underneath had barely faded, a constant reminder of that terrifying night when she'd been attacked after stubbornly leaving Mykel's place alone. He had warned her not to walk by herself, but she hadn't listened.

Her heart raced as she approached the door at the end of the corridor. Without knocking, she pushed it open—and froze. Mykel wasn't alone.

Seraphina stood by his desk, her perfect posture making Diana instantly conscious of her own slouched shoulders. Her sister's immaculate appearance—designer clothes, not a hair out of place—contrasted sharply with Diana's disheveled state after rushing to get here.

"What are you doing here, Seraphina?" Diana demanded, her voice higher than she intended.

Seraphina's lips curved into that familiar smile—the one that never quite reached her eyes. "I could ask you the same question. Bit early to be visiting a teacher, isn't it?"

"Mr. Davis is a counselor," Diana replied defensively. "I had an appointment."

"Of course you did." Seraphina's gaze traveled between Diana and Mykel, something knowing in her expression. "Though I wonder if our father is aware how frequently you visit Mr. Davis's office."

Mykel cleared his throat, straightening papers on his desk with methodical precision. "Miss Valenti—Seraphina—was just dropping off some paperwork for the school committee."

"And reminding you that Diana is a Valenti daughter," Seraphina added, her voice sweet but her eyes hard. "In case you'd forgotten."

Diana's cheeks burned. "I don't need you to remind anyone who I am."

"Don't you?" Seraphina's perfectly manicured finger tapped against the desk. "Because it seems like Mr. Davis has forgotten certain professional boundaries."

Mykel's expression hardened. "That's quite enough, Miss Valenti."

"Is it?" Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Because it seems like you've forgotten that you can't have relationships with students beyond your role as a counselor."

Diana stepped forward. "There's nothing between us."

The words hung in the air as she avoided Mykel's gaze. Her fingers nervously toyed with the edge of her scarf.

"Nothing at all," Mykel agreed, his voice steady despite the tension in his jaw. "Now, if you could both take your personal matters elsewhere, I have work to do."

He stood, towering over both sisters, his smile tight and obviously forced. "We'll reschedule our session, Diana. Please close the door on your way out, ladies."

Outside in the hallway, Seraphina grabbed Diana's arm, pulling her to a stop. "What are you thinking? He's too old for you."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Diana replied, yanking her arm free.

Seraphina's gaze dropped to the scarf around Diana's neck. Her fingers reached out. "What are you hiding under there?"

Diana stepped back, hand flying protectively to her throat. "Don't touch me."

Something in her voice must have carried real weight, because Seraphina actually stopped, surprised. It was the first time Diana had ever truly stood her ground against her sister.

"Where was this backbone all those years I needed you?" Diana asked, her voice trembling with years of repressed anger. "When your friends were shoving me into lockers and stealing my clothes after gym class? When they were spreading rumors about me?"

Seraphina's expression flickered. "I was always there. You never came to me for help."

"Because you were too busy being cool," Diana spat.

"That's not fair—"

"Isn't it? God forbid the great Seraphina Valenti be associated with her weird little sister."

Seraphina's perfect composure slipped. "You don't understand what it's like—"

"To be popular? No, I don't." Diana's voice cracked.

"I was just concerned about you. Men like these tend to prey on vulnerable girls like you,” Seraphina tried grasping Diana’s hand to drag her to the side so that they can have a peaceful chitchat, but Diana shook her hand free and took a few steps away from Seraphina.

“Vulnerable? Huh! I don’t think Daddy thinks the same. In fact, I am sure he is betting on my victory.”

The words slipped out before Diana could stop them, and she immediately regretted them when she saw the hurt flash across Seraphina's face.

"Sera, I'm sorr—" But it was too late. Her sister had already turned away, walking quickly down the hallway, her heels clicking against the floor like angry punctuation marks.

Diana stood there, watching her go, shame washing over her in hot waves.

With a frustrated sigh, she pushed through the school's entrance doors and sat on the edge of a concrete planter, covering her face with her hands.

"You okay?" a deep voice asked.

Diana jumped, looking up to find Matteo standing there, hands casually tucked into the pockets of his designer jeans. He must have heard the argument in the hallway, though hopefully not the specifics.

"I'm fine," she lied, wiping quickly at her eyes.

"Didn't sound fine." He shifted his weight, looking almost uncomfortable. "I can leave if you want."

Diana studied him for a moment. Matteo Vasquez, the notorious playboy of the Vasquez brothers, actually looked genuinely concerned. It was disarming.

"If you really want to help me," she said finally, "could you take me to see her?"

Matteo frowned. "Your sister? She seemed pretty upset. Might be better to let her cool off."

"Not Seraphina." Diana took a deep breath. "Beatrice."

At the name, something shifted in Matteo's expression—like an old wound reopening. He looked away, jaw tightening.

"Why would you want to see her? I hope whatever is happening between your sister doesn’t have anything to do with Beatrice. Because I am not taking you to her to bother her or argue her over with--"

"I am the one who will visit her cafe just to pass taunts and comments on her, so chill!" Diana rolled her eyes as she recalled how harsh Matteo was to Beatrice the other day.

"Fine then, get in the car," Matteo said, not bothering to ask her much and taking the lead. He had to show he wasn’t happy to see Beatrice again, but deep down inside, he knew her sight was pleasant for his sore eyes.