JASMINE
The morning sun felt blindingly bright as I walked through the school gates the next day. Every step sent small jolts of pain through my body. The lingering ache from the hospital, the emotional weight of all the revelations, and the heavy burden of secrets pressed down on my shoulders.
I kept my head held high regardless, refusing to shrink under the curious stares and hushed whispers that followed me like dark shadows.
I had barely crossed halfway through the courtyard when Henry appeared. He moved with furious purpose, cutting across the open space in long, aggressive strides.
Before I could react, his hand shot out and clamped around my wrist. His fingers dug in hard, promising fresh bruises.
"What the hell do you plan to do now?" he hissed, his voice low and dripping with venom. "After you got me kicked out of school?"
I froze in place, staring directly into his twisted expression. "Kicked out? You mean expelled?"
