Chapter 42 - The wound was slowly closing up

Chapter 42 - The wound was slowly closing up
~Author’s POV ~

Livia’s face paled as Harriet’s words hung in the air. The classroom, once buzzing with gossip, had fallen into a heavy silence. Even Kylie, who had been enjoying the mockery moments ago, stiffened in her seat. There was something different about Harriet. Something sharp that hadn’t been there before.

Livia swallowed hard, forcing a laugh.

"Oh, come on, Harriet. When did I say that?"

Harriet tilted her head, her gaze unwavering.

Didn't think you were the one to quickly forget your own words. Shall I remind you?"

Livia’s fingers twitched. She hadn’t expected Harriet to call her out so boldly.

The other students were watching, some with amusement, others with curiosity. If she backed down now, she’d look weak. But if she actually ate dust—she couldn't bring herself to think about it. Damn this woman!

Before she could respond, Harriet stuffed her hand into her pocket, pulling out a cloth that had been tied. Opening it, the sand nestled in it came into view. She scooped it up, holding it between her fingers, her expression unreadable.

"Open wide."

Livia recoiled.

"You—you can’t be serious!"

Harriet’s lips curled slightly.

"Dead serious."

“When did I say I was going to eat dust! Stop making things up!” Livia yelled, making Lena's lips twitch. Yet, Harriet just smiled, turning to Kylie.

“You were there, weren't you? Did she or did she not say it?” Harriet asked, making Kylie’s eyes dart around. In the end, had had no words to speak.

“Tsk. Good thing I have evidence.” Harriet muttered, clicking her tongue as she pulled her phone from her pocket. The whole classroom turned quiet, and she played the recording, making everyone's face turn complicated. Looks like Livia had indeed said those words and wants to back out now.

“Now, eat.” Harriet turned to Livia, who swallowed the bitterness in her throat.

She turned to Kylie for help, but the latter barely glanced at her.

“If you say something, then you should own up to your words, should you not?” A student voiced out, and the whole class agreed, leaving Livia with no choice but to stuff her mouth with dirt.

Harriet felt pleased with herself, going to sit. This scene was of course, witnessed by Malfoy who had a complicated expression marrying his face as he stared at her. She seemed different. No one could tell why she'd suddenly change into the meek nerd to being completely fearless. Now she seemed to be radiating.

After Harriet's classes ended, Lena pulled her aside to a cafe. The latter had found an excuse to not attend the banquet, yet when she returned to school, she had heard a few people talking about how radiant Harriet had been in her dress. She suddenly regretted not going.

Right now, she took a sip from her orange juice, casting a glance at Harriet, who sat opposite her.

“Why the hell am I hearing news that you stole your sister's fiance?” She asked, making Harriet's jaw tighten.

“It's a complicated story. But I've been living at his place,”

“What!?” Lena screamed, unable to contain her surprise, making heads turn to them in the cafe.

“You're living with Kylie’s ex?” She asked, lowering her voice down, and Harriet nodded.

“I really thought you changed when you returned to school, but now I realize you're crazy. You don't even know the Man! Apart from the frickin’ fact that he's Rael Morgan!” Lena could not contain it.

“You–did you sleep with him?” She asked, searching Harriet's face, but the latter only gave her a smug look. At that moment, she realized her friend had turned into an entirely different person. She smiled deviously. She liked this new Harriet better. She couldn't imagine the look on Kylie's face when she found out Harriet had stolen her man. The two chatted for a while before heading out of the cafe.

Just then, a sleek, black car came to a halt in front of them, making Harriet's eyes widen. Kai was the one driving, and thus, she immediately knew who the car belonged to.

“Get it,” Rael's masculine voice reverberated once the window whined down, making Harriet bite her lip helplessly. She turned to stare at Lena, who gave her a look that said ‘carry your cross’ before running off.

Tsk…what a friend she was, Harriet thought before pulling the car door open and settling in.

“How did you know where I was?” She asked, making Rael turn to her. He didn't have an answer. How could he tell her there were guards all around in the shadows?

In the end, he muttered,

“i just guessed.”

Harriet blinked a couple of times, finding his lie unbelievable, yet she decided not to ask further and just turned outside the window, the view of the city fading as the car drove on. She had something to say, yet she could only keep it to herself.

But then, there was a deafening screech of tires.

Harriet barely had time to turn her head before a massive truck swerved into their lane, headlights blinding, horn blaring. Time seemed to slow.

In one swift motion, Rael lunged across the seat, his body shielding hers as the world erupted into chaos.

CRASH!

Metal screamed. Glass shattered. The impact threw them violently, the force of the collision crushing the side of the car. Harriet’s breath left her lungs as Rael’s arms locked around her, his body taking the brunt of the wreckage.

Then—silence. She trembled once the car came to a halt, feeling her heart drum furiously beneath her chest. Alarm bells rang in her head–Rael had shielded her. Was he okay?

When she lifted her head, she saw the man's clear gaze on her, making her heart calm. But once she peeled away from his embrace, she froze.

A huge glass shard was lodged in his abdomen, yet he looked completely unfazed as he pulled it out.

“You–You’re hurt,” she muttered, her voice trembling as she reached out to examine his wound. Just as her hand touched his shirt t
o pull it up, he stopped her.

Only he could feel that the wound was slowly closing up. What would be her reaction if she saw this?