Adeline’s POV
The courtyard still buzzed with whispers. Mathias had the bully boy by the collar, feet barely touching the ground. Elijah stood tense at my side. Caleb pressed against my hip, small hand gripping my sleeve. Vincent stepped closer, and the noise around us thinned like someone turned a dial.
“Were you hit?” he asked my boys.
His tone was flat, but the question landed heavy. Elijah lifted his chin. “No, sir.”
Caleb swallowed. “Not today.”
Vincent’s eyes narrowed. “What about previous days?”
Caleb’s mouth trembled. He looked at me first, like asking permission to tell the truth. I nodded. “Go on.”
“He… he hides our shoes sometimes,” Caleb said, his voice small. “He tripped me last week on purpose. He calls us names. He said we don’t have a real…” He stopped, cheeks flushi
