Angel Last mission is love

20.Doubt and Protection

Outside the classroom, the hallway was quiet and empty, offering a small shelter from the noise and laughter inside. Adrian led Clara gently to a bench near the window, away from the view of anyone passing by. He kept his coat wrapped securely around her, making sure she was fully covered, and sat beside her, letting her lean against his shoulder as she cried. Her shoulders shook with every sob, her hands still trembling from the shock and embarrassment of what had just happened.

“It’s alright,” he murmured softly, rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles. “You’re safe now. Don’t think about what they said. None of it matters.”

Clara took shaky, ragged breaths, trying to calm herself down. She felt humiliated, her cheeks still burning, but more than that, she felt confused and hurt. Who would do something so cruel? She had never spoken harshly to anyone, never caused trouble—why would someone want to embarrass her like that?

After a few minutes, her crying slowed, and she lifted her head slightly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “Why… why would someone do this?” she whispered, her voice thick with tears. “I didn’t do anything to anyone.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly. He had already been turning the events over in his mind, and that uneasy feeling from earlier had only grown stronger. “I don’t know,” he said honestly, “but it wasn’t an accident. That glue was placed there on purpose.”

Back inside the classroom, the atmosphere had slowly settled, though whispers still traveled between students. Stella remained sitting at Clara’s desk, her expression now one of feigned concern, though her eyes still held a faint, cold glint of satisfaction. When Leo looked over at her, still clearly upset by what had occurred, he shook his head.

“It wasn’t right,” Leo said quietly. “Someone deliberately did that. I just don’t understand why.”

Stella turned to him, her voice sharp and dismissive. “You’re imagining things. It was probably an old bottle someone left behind, or a mistake from the cleaning staff. You can’t just accuse people without proof.”

“But—”

“Just let it go, Leo,” she cut him off firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. Leo fell silent, though he still looked unsure, glancing toward the door where Adrian and Clara had left.

Meanwhile, Adrian had taken out his phone and called one of the female staff members at the university, explaining the situation politely and asking if Clara could borrow a spare skirt or wrap to wear until she could go home. While they waited, he looked at Clara, his expression softening again.

“Look at me,” he said gently, lifting her chin so she would meet his eyes. “What happened today says nothing about you. It says everything about the person who did it—someone who is unhappy and cruel. Don’t let them make you feel small.”

Clara nodded slowly, taking comfort in his steady presence. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “If you hadn’t been there… I don’t know what I would have done.”

“I will always be there,” he promised, squeezing her hand firmly. “No one will ever hurt you like that again if I can help it.”

When the staff member arrived with a long, comfortable wrap, Adrian waited outside while Clara changed behind a screen. When she stepped out again, she looked calmer, though her eyes were still red. He walked her back to the classroom door, but instead of going inside, he turned to her.

“Would you like to go home for the rest of the day?” he asked. “I can accompany you, or wait here with you until you feel ready. Whatever you prefer.”

Clara hesitated, glancing toward the closed door, then shook her head slightly. “No… I don’t want to run away. If I leave, it will feel like they won. I want to stay.”

Adrian smiled faintly, a look of pride crossing his face. “Then we stay together.”

When they entered the room again, the whispers stopped instantly. Adrian walked right to their seats, pulled the chair out for Clara, and stood beside her for a moment, his gaze sweeping slowly across the room—lingering just a little longer on Stella, who quickly looked down at her notebook. There was no accusation in his face, but his eyes were sharp and observant, as if he were storing every detail away.

Stella felt that look like a light pressure, and her fingers tightened around her pen. She told herself she had been careful, that no one could prove anything, but Adrian’s quiet suspicion made her feel uneasy for the first time.

As the class resumed, Adrian sat beside Clara again, keeping his hand resting gently near hers on the desk, a silent sign of support. Every now and then, he would glance at Stella, watching her behavior closely. He still had no proof, and he knew he could not say anything without evidence—but deep in his heart, he was becoming more certain by the minute that the person responsible was sitting right there, pretending to be innocent.

For now, he would watch, and he would protect Clara. But he made a silent promise to himself: if Stella was behind this, he would find out the truth, and he would make sure it never happened again.