Chapter 22
Elara
Julian's eyes swept across the room. Landed on the broken watch on Dr. Pemberton's desk. On my bloodied handkerchief. On the cuts across my fingers.
His expression revealed nothing.
"Apologize to Victoria." His voice was cold. Flat. A command, not a request.
I took a step back. Straightened my spine. Looked directly at Mr. Vane Senior.
"I will not apologize. Victoria took my bag without permission. She deliberately destroyed my father's watch. The watch he worked for a year to buy. The birthday gift he had delivered to me before he died saving your life, Mr. Vane."
The office went silent.
Mr. Vane Senior's expression froze. His hand tightened around his cane. It thumped twice against the floor.
But he said nothing.
Tristan looked away. Uncomfortable.
Only Julian remained expressionless. "Then you should have been more careful with it. Not brought it to school where conflicts could arise."
"The security cameras will prove what happened." I met his gaze. Held it. "I request that the school review the classroom footage."
"Why do we need to check cameras?" Victoria's voice rose. Panicked. "My head is bleeding! Isn't that proof enough?"
Dr. Pemberton glanced at Mr. Vane Senior. Then at Julian. Weighing his options.
The Vane family had donated two million dollars to St. Valerius this year. Enough to build a new science wing.
"Scared?" I turned to Victoria. "Scared of what the cameras will show? That you cornered me. That you grabbed my bag. That you deliberately dropped my father's watch."
My voice remained calm. But each word was a blade.
Julian was silent for several seconds.
Then: "Check the cameras."
Sloane's head snapped toward him. Surprise flickered across her face.
But he did not explain. His gaze remained fixed on the blood drying on my fingers.
---
The security footage played on Dr. Pemberton's computer.
Crystal clear. No audio, but the images told the story.
Victoria approaching my desk. Reaching for my bag.
Me pressing my hand down. Trying to keep it.
Victoria pulling harder. The bag falling.
Victoria bending down. Picking up the velvet-wrapped bundle.
Me lunging forward to stop her.
Victoria jerking away. The watch falling. Shattering.
And then—frame by frame—Victoria's mouth curving upward. Just for a second. Satisfaction. Triumph.
Before I pushed her.
The office was completely silent when the video ended.
Dr. Pemberton cleared his throat. "It appears... the situation is more complicated than initially reported."
"Complicated?" I kept my voice steady. "The video shows exactly what happened. Victoria destroyed my father's watch. Deliberately."
"Now, Elara—" Mr. Vane Senior began.
"That watch was the only thing I had left of my father. The father who died saving you." I cut him off.
Mr. Vane Senior's face went rigid. "These are children. Family. We should handle this internally. Victoria, apologize to Elara for breaking her watch. Elara, apologize for pushing Victoria. Then we can all move past this unfortunate incident."
"No."
Everyone turned to look at me.
"I will not apologize. Not this time. Not ever again."
I wrapped the watch pieces back in my handkerchief. Placed them carefully in my bag.
"If St. Valerius chooses to expel me for defending my property, I will contact a lawyer."
Julian's expression darkened. "Don't come back to Blackwood Estate tonight. I'll arrange other accommodations for you."
"I have somewhere to go." I turned toward the door. "I don't need your arrangements."
"Elara." His voice dropped. Dangerous. "You don't have the right to choose with me."
I stopped. Did not turn around.
"The cameras proved I did not assault Victoria without cause. If this school expels me anyway, that will prove something else entirely."
I walked out.
Left them all behind.
---
Mamá was waiting at the bus stop outside the school gates.
She was still wearing her cleaning uniform. The chemical smell of industrial cleaner clung to her clothes. She must have left work early. Someone from the family must have called her.
"Elara!" She grabbed my arm. Her voice was frantic. "How could you hit Miss Victoria? Do you know this could get us kicked out of Blackwood? I could lose my job!"
I thought of Julian's threat in Chapter 13. "I'll make sure your mother is unemployed."
I took a deep breath. Turned to face her.
"Mamá. Victoria destroyed Papá's watch. The watch he worked a year to buy for me. The last thing he ever gave me."
"So what?" Her voice cracked. Desperate. "A watch can be fixed! It can be replaced! But where we live, my job—those are from the Vanes! Everything we have is from them!"
She pulled on my arm. "Please. Go back. Apologize to Mr. Vane and Julian. Beg them. I'm begging you."
I gently pulled my arm free.
Looked at my mother.
Really looked at her.
At the fear in her eyes. At the desperation. At the complete and total inability to protect me.
"Mamá. If they wanted my life, would you be able to get justice for me?"
She froze. Her lips trembled. But no sound came out.
Because we both knew the answer.
The bus pulled up. I climbed the steps. Found a seat by the window.
Through the glass, I watched Mamá standing at the bus stop. Her hands hanging uselessly at her sides. Lost.
The bus pulled away.
I closed my eyes.
Did not look back.
---
Three stops later, a black Rolls-Royce pulled alongside the bus.
The window rolled down. Atlas Cooper, Julian's assistant, gestured for me to get off.
I ignored him. Kept my eyes fixed on the street outside.
The bus stopped again. This time, Julian himself appeared at the door.
Three-piece charcoal suit. Silver cufflinks catching the afternoon light. His face expressionless.
"You can get dragged off this bus, or you can walk."
Every passenger was staring now. Phones appeared. Recording.
I picked up my bag. Walked down the aisle. Got into the Rolls-Royce.
The door closed behind me with a soft click. The scent of leather and Julian's cologne filled the enclosed space.
The car began to move. But not toward Blackwood.
I frowned. "Where are you taking me?"
Julian leaned back against the seat. Removed his gold-rimmed glasses. Rubbed the bridge of his nose. His voice was low. Rough with exhaustion.
"Somewhere you can calm down."
He turned his head. Looked at me.
His eyes were unreadable. Dark. Searching for something.
"What exactly are you trying to do, Elara?"