Chapter 28: Capítulo 28: The Return to School

The morning was full of anticipation. Ethan was returning to the school where he had once been expelled, and the expectations of how he would behave were high. Alexander and Isabella knew how important this moment was, not only for the young boy but also to show how much he had changed.

—Are you nervous? —Isabella asked while adjusting Ethan's uniform.

The boy looked at her and slowly shook his head, although his little fingers nervously played with the edge of his jacket. It was clear that, while he was trying to be brave, there was a mixture of conflicting emotions.

—It's normal to feel like that —Isabella said with a warm smile—. But I know you'll do well.

—I... don't like this school —Ethan murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Isabella kneeled in front of him, searching for his eyes. She could see the worry in his gaze, something deeper than the usual first-day-of-school nerves.

—Why don't you like it, Ethan? —she asked gently.

The boy hesitated but finally let out a small sigh.

—Because... once they expelled me from here —he confessed, his cheeks turning a little red.

Isabella was surprised by his confession. She knew Ethan had had problems before, but she never imagined he had been expelled.

—What happened? —she asked, trying to sound calm and curious rather than worried.

Ethan looked at her with his big eyes, as if evaluating whether to tell the truth or not. But something in Isabella’s calm presence encouraged him to speak.

—I played a prank on the teacher —he said quietly, as if remembering a moment that made him both proud and ashamed—. The teacher always scolded me for everything, and one day... I... put a frog in his desk.

Isabella put a hand to her mouth to contain a smile. She knew she shouldn’t laugh at what he had done, but the image of a young Ethan with a frog, trying to get back at his teacher, was amusing to her.

—A frog? —she asked, trying to sound more surprised than amused.

Ethan nodded with a slight mischievous smile on his lips.

—Yeah... I put it in his drawer. And when he opened it to get his pen, the frog jumped. The teacher screamed, and everyone in class started laughing. But then... they took me to the principal's office, and my dad came. They punished him, and they kicked me out of school —he finished, his voice fading as he remembered the end of the story.

Isabella looked at him, trying not to make him feel bad for recalling the incident. She knew it hadn’t been easy for him, and it was obvious that he still carried some guilt about what had happened.

—Sometimes we do things without thinking of the consequences —she said softly—. But the important thing is that now you know it was a mistake. And that means this time will be different.

Ethan looked at her, processing her words. For the first time since he began talking about the incident, he seemed to relax a little.

—Do you really think it will be different? —he asked quietly.

Isabella smiled warmly at him and gently stroked his cheek.

—I know —she replied with conviction—. This time, you won’t be alone. I’ll be here to help you, and I know you’ll do your best.

With those words of encouragement, they both headed to the car where Alexander was waiting. The drive to school was silent but filled with renewed determination from Ethan.

Upon arrival, the school looked exactly as he remembered it, imposing, with its red brick walls and well-maintained garden in front. But this time, fear didn’t dominate him. As they walked toward the main entrance, Isabella took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Alexander watched from a distance, noticing how Isabella had done what he never could: calm Ethan in a way no one else had. It was clear that her influence was changing the boy’s life for the better.

—I’ll be fine —Ethan said suddenly, breaking the silence as they neared the door.

Isabella looked at him surprised but with a proud smile. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but Ethan was ready to face his past and build a new future.

When they entered the school, the principal and a few teachers greeted them with expectant looks. Everyone knew Ethan's story, but no one was prepared for what they would see in the coming days.

Hours later, the school’s call to Alexander was not about a prank or behavioral problems. On the contrary, Ethan's teacher was impressed by the change. The boy had worked in class, interacted with his classmates without issues, and, most surprisingly, hadn’t shown any of the behaviors that had once led to his expulsion.

—Mr. Alexander, I am truly surprised —said the teacher on the phone—. Ethan has made incredible progress. Not only has he behaved well, but he has shown a genuine interest in the activities. It’s like he’s a different child.

Alexander, listening from his office, felt a great wave of relief and pride. He knew that much of this change was thanks to Isabella’s dedication. When he hung up the phone, he couldn’t help but think that, perhaps, she was the missing piece in Ethan’s life.

Isabella, for her part, kept smiling as she watched Ethan. She knew this was just the beginning of something bigger for him, and she couldn’t help but feel excited for what would come next.

That same afternoon, Alexander gathered everyone in the main room of the mansion. Isabella was beside Ethan, who remained calm, though still a little anxious about returning to school. Miranda was the last to arrive, walking through the door with a furrowed brow, clearly upset. There was something in the air that unsettled her, and each step toward the room confirmed it.

—Thank you all for coming —Alexander began with his authoritative tone, the one he used when he knew important decisions needed to be made.

Isabella remained calm, though her heart was beating a little faster than usual. She knew the meeting had to do with Ethan, but she was unaware of the impact her words would have on the boy’s life.

—The deadline I set to evaluate Ethan’s progress has passed —Alexander continued, his eyes scanning the room, but with a special glance directed at Miranda—. And after observing him in the last few days, especially with his return to school... I have made a decision.

Ethan looked up at Alexander, eagerly awaiting to know what would happen. Miranda, on the other hand, crossed her arms, clearly upset. It seemed like she already knew the news wouldn’t be to her liking.

—Ethan will not travel abroad —Alexander declared, his voice firm—. It doesn’t make sense to take him away now that he’s shown such impressive progress. He’s made incredible strides, and the change in his behavior is undeniable.

Isabella felt a wave of relief wash over her, but she couldn’t completely relax. She knew something else was going to happen, especially with Miranda in the room.

As she had feared, Miranda’s voice rose, interrupting the silence.

—This is absurd! —she shouted, clearly furious—. We knew the only solution for him was to get away from here, leave the country, and get the proper care! He can’t stay!

Alexander looked at her, unperturbed by her rage.

—Do you really think that’s the only solution, Miranda? —he asked calmly, though there was a sharp edge to his tone—. Or is it that you just don’t want Ethan to be here?

Miranda stepped back, surprised by Alexander’s accusatory tone. But she didn’t back down.

—It’s not that, and you know it. What I want is for him to get the best care possible. This place is no good for him, it never was!

—Stop talking nonsense, Miranda —Alexander replied, his gaze cold—. If you really believed that, you would have done more to help Ethan instead of waiting for him to fail. But what concerns you is not his well-being, but that he doesn’t fit into your vision of what this family should be.

—That’s not true! —Miranda screamed, her hands shaking with frustration—. I’ve always done what’s best for him!

Alexander stepped toward her, maintaining his calm while Miranda’s fury grew.

—Then, if you don’t agree with my decision, why don’t we cancel the engagement? —he asked coldly—. If you think I can’t handle my own household, maybe we should reconsider our future together.

A deathly silence filled the room. Alexander’s words hit like a bucket of cold water. Isabella felt the tension in the air, and Ethan, not fully understanding, looked around uncertainly.

—Cancel the engagement? —Miranda repeated, as if she couldn’t believe what Alexander had just said—. Are you suggesting we throw everything away, after everything we’ve planned?

—Only if you want to —Alexander replied, unshaken—. But I won’t allow you to keep interfering in Ethan’s life in a negative way. It’s been enough.

Miranda took a deep breath, trying to control herself. She knew her position was delicate, and although she was furious, she couldn’t afford to lose everything she had gained. Not after all the effort she had put into getting where she was.

—No... I don’t want to cancel the engagement —she said finally, though her words sounded bitter—. All I want is for you to remember our debt, Alexander. You know this is not just about what’s best for Ethan. There are... other responsibilities we must assume together.

Alexander looked at her, with an expression that showed no affection or interest.

Alexander looked at her with an expression that showed not a trace of affection.

— "I remember it well," he replied, although his voice showed no trace of warmth or interest. "But my decision regarding Ethan will not change. He stays."

Miranda pressed her lips together, clearly upset by the response, but said nothing more. She knew that, at that moment, she ha

d no power to reverse Alexander's decision. Not while Isabella still played such an important role in Ethan's life.