It Will Hurt, But Bear With It

Clara POV

"Mr. Cole, are you the guardian of student Clara?"

The principal asked, surprised, ignoring the other question.

Is he really that famous? It seems my stepmother comes from a well-known family.

Adrian said coldly, his gaze sweeping over those sitting in front of me, "Yes, I am her guardian."

The principal spoke calmly, "There was a minor problem between the two girls."

Adrian’s tone sharpened as he looked at me, "You call this minor?"

Natalie’s father spoke confidently, but his confidence faded when Adrian’s dark eyes glared at him with anger. "We can settle this with money. Don’t worry."

The principal tried to calm the situation, looking at me, "Mr. Cole, relax. We still don’t know what exactly happened between them."

I said coldly, looking at the principal, "I was talking with my friend, and this girl pushed me off the benches. I just taught her a simple lesson."

Natalie’s mother exclaimed angrily, "You ruined my daughter’s beautiful hair and you call that a simple lesson? Didn’t your mother teach you manners? Or is she too busy?"

It felt like knives were piercing my heart. My late mother had been insulted. I almost cried, but I lifted my gaze, meeting Adrian Cole’s eyes, full of intensity.

He shifted his gaze to the woman sitting there, throwing her a deadly look. He said arrogantly, taking my hand and urging me to stand, "Watch your words, ma’am."

He pulled me behind him, "I’ll involve the police to show you what ‘simple’ really means."

But the principal’s voice stopped him. He pleaded, "Mr. Cole, please calm down. We don’t want to escalate this."

Adrian glanced at him, narrowing his eyes, "Either I leave it to the police or…"

He trailed off.

Natalie’s father asked curiously, "Or what?"

He nodded toward Natalie, "This girl will be expelled from school permanently."

He’s insane! Adrian is really dangerous, and his thoughts are irrational!

Her mother shouted, "Are you crazy? You want me to expel my daughter just because of your little girl’s behavior?"

I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.

Through choking sobs, I said, "Mr. Cole, please, let’s leave here."

He looked at me, frowning with anger, then turned to Natalie’s parents before slamming the door behind him, "You’ll regret this."

He started walking quickly, but I stood there, in pain. He glanced at me, whispering in surprise, "What happened?"

I gasped in fear as he lifted me, "My foot hurts."

I shifted my gaze between him and the students staring at us in shock. "Mr. Cole, are you insane?"

"Shut up!" he ordered, his tone commanding, eyes blazing with anger.

I closed my mouth, resting my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. I burst into tears, remembering what was said about my mother.

We reached his Mercedes. He opened the door with one hand, carefully placed me in the seat, then went to the driver’s side, started the engine, and drove. I leaned my head against the window, letting my hair cover my face so he wouldn’t see me cry.

Silence filled the car. Only the engine’s hum could be heard.

After half an hour, we arrived home. I almost got out, but he stopped me sharply, "Stay put."

He removed the seatbelt, stepped out, slammed the door, and came around to my side. He lifted me and slammed the door with his foot before we entered the house.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, unable to resist staring at his cold, sharp face.

Inside, Emilia sat in the living room. The moment she heard the door open, she rushed toward him.

She almost spoke, but my appearance froze her. She looked at me in shock as my brother carefully set me on the couch.

She asked coldly, "What happened to you?"

But I could see the glimmer of happiness inside her.

"Nothing new. Emilia caused trouble again," I said with a small smile. She looked away from me, her pupils trembling slightly.

My brother brought the first aid kit. His sister stared at him in awe.

"Adrian cares about someone? That’s a miracle!" she exclaimed, before he gave her a threatening glare.

"Emilia, get some warm water," he ordered. She ran to the kitchen. Adrian started cleaning the wounds on my feet.

"It hurts," I said, clutching his shoulder. He looked at me. I pulled my hands back, scared, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to."

I pulled my gaze away from his dark eyes. He focused back on my feet.

"It will hurt, but bear with it," he said coldly.

Emilia returned with a bucket of water, placing it in front of him, staring in surprise.

"Did my father call, Lory?" she asked, resting her head on the couch, looking at us.

"He called this morning and was told you’re okay," I replied.

She hummed softly. I looked up at Adrian, sitting in front of me, tending to my wounds carefully. My gaze fell to his chest, partly exposed from the first two buttons of his shirt.

I couldn’t help staring at his chest. He tapped my forehead lightly, continuing to clean my wound, whispering coldly, "Your eyes…"

I lowered my head, embarrassed, biting my lower lip, "Sorry."

Later, I shyly went to Emilia to sleep. It was already late—two in the morning.

Finally, he finished cleaning my hands. He stood up but paused as his eyes fell on my thighs.

I thought he might do something like before. I clutched my skirt tightly as he knelt before me, almost touching my thigh. I stopped him, begging through tears, "Stop… please…"