Annabelle left Flavia at the café, her mind racing as she flagged down a cab to return to school. Derek waiting at the gate was bad enough, but the mention of Grandfather being there too made her stomach churn. She couldn’t afford to make a scene, not with her classmates already judging her every move.
The cab ride felt unbearably long, even though it was just a ten-minute drive. The driver, an elderly man with a friendly demeanor, tried making small talk, but Annabelle was too distracted to respond beyond polite nods. Her mind kept replaying Derek’s commanding tone and the way he had cut her off without allowing an explanation.
When the cab finally pulled up near the school gate, Annabelle hesitated before stepping out. She paid the driver quickly and scanned the area. Sure enough,
