My heart felt heavy hearing Es say those words. I could only imagine what that must have been for her. Being at the center of gossip and confusion.
Es didn’t show any distress either... just silence. From henceforth, I was gonna pay more attention to her silence before anything else. She had the habit of shutting out, and when she does, it’s hard to tell what’s wrong.
I was glad she was talking with right now. I just hope she opened up more.
"Why didn’t you tell about these rumors? Or about Adrian?" I asked softly.
"..."
Oh, Es.
I brought her close, stroking her arms and waiting patiently for her to say sothing. I don’t care if I have to sit here in long silence.
"I’m sorry, Mommy."
"It’s okay..."
God, Agatha must be so twisted to have her son speak such a thing. How many lies has she been filling his head with all these years? To make him spread such vile rumors?
"Adrian ca to during lunchti. I told him to go away, but he didn’t listen. He kept doing it, even though I told him to go away. Today was different. He pulled my hair and said I was a mistake and—"
"That’s enough, sweetie..." I said softly. "You don’t need to say anything else."
I don’t think I can stay calm anymore.
I got the full picture now, and I was right. Es was provoked. The headmistress didn’t see this and based Es’s actions on rumors, but it wasn’t.
"Whatever Adrian told you, don’t believe a word of it. Those are nothing but lies."
"I got so angry, and then my fist was hurting before I knew it, and my leg swung on its own."
I prayed my impulsive nature didn’t get past onto her, but there it was. She took every bit of it.
I held her hand. "Does it hurt now?"
"Not any more. You made it better."
"It’s okay to be angry, Es, the sa way it’s okay to be scared; those are things we can’t just erase... those emotions are a part of us, but what matters the most is our response towards those emotions."
I tucked her red hair behind her ear.
"Tell , sweetie, did you like what you did to Adrian?"
She shook her head.
"Am I a... mistake? Adrian said I shouldn’t have been born."
"No, you’re not. Adrian let his emotions get the best of him, and that is one thing that shouldn’t happen. He said those an things to hurt you, and I’m sorry, sweetie, you had to hear words like that. You’re not a mistake. Your daddy and I love you so much."
"I didn’t tell you about the rumors because they never bothered ."
I smiled. "Really?"
"I just didn’t like what Adrian told . He was being an!"
"You don’t have to worry about that anymore. Daddy and I will get it sorted out so you don’t have to hit anyone again. Okay?"
Another nod.
"Now ti for bed."
She climbed onto the mattress, circled until she got her best spot. I pulled the covers over her, tucking her in, but I didn’t leave just yet.
She clung to her teddy, and just a few minutes later, her eyelid grew heavy.
I released a sharp exhale, eyeing her sleeping form. That went well.
I kissed her forehead. I left just the bedside lamp on, giving one more look before I opened the door. Loki and Salem rushed in, pouncing on her bed, circling a few tis to get comfortable.
I see where that circling ca from.
They had the habit of staying in Es’s room overnight. This room was basically their favorite spot in the house now.
I made my way to the bedroom when I heard voices, like Ares was on call.
"Ensure this never happens again..." he said in an icy tone. "You should have handled this the instant the rumors spread."
He’s talking to the Headmistress.
There was prolonged stillness, and I could already picture Mrs. Hills apologizing to no end, and Ares’ indifference only increased the tension.
Ares ended the call, turning to see . There was a pause, a long one, until he voiced out.
"How did it go with Es?"
"She talked," I said, because that made more worried than anything else. "And I was right... she didn’t just co at Adrian because he was spreading rumors, she said it never bothered her. Adrian was bullying her, and she got provoked when he said an things."
Ares exhaled, and I could tell this irritated him.
"You can’t bla him either. You know who is to bla." I ca closer. "I never thought about this, but now I do... it makes wonder about all those years with Agatha, filling his head with poisonous words. From Adrian’s perspective, he believed he was doing the right thing. A little girl cos out of nowhere, and suddenly he’s not as important as his mother made him out to be."
"She’s protective of Adrian..." Ares said. "She carries him around like an egg."
"She does..." I conceded. "But she twisted his mind. He’s just a kid, Ares. He may be Agatha’s child, but he’s not her."
"You can’t be sure about that..."
"Well, I know a child’s character cos from their parents’ actions. The sa case as Adrian."
"The rumors from the school will be dealt with, and that will be the end of it. Adrian will be expelled."
"Honey..."
"I don’t want anyone bothering our daughter."
I grinned. "I think who you need to worry about is Es kicking him in the balls again."
Ares’ lips twitched in a smile. "She did great."
"Honey!"
~☆~
I walked the corridor, kids in their well-ironed uniforms walking past .
I made my way to the headmistress’s office, speaking briefly with the secretary before I was allowed in.
The mont I walked through the doors, Mrs. Hill’s eyes darted to .
"Mrs. King."
"Mrs. Hills..." I said, sitting, and crossing my legs.
"It’s been a week..."
"Yes, it has..."
She sighed. "I have investigated as per your request."
"And my husband’s warning."
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