تسجيل الدخولAva:The word of acceptance lingered between us longer than it should have.Dante didn’t speak right away, as if he was afraid the slightest sound would make me take it back. His gaze searched my face carefully, like he was bracing for the argument we’d had the last time, where I’d told him I didn’t need his protection, that I could take care of myself and my daughter just fine.Back then, it had felt like pride. And the best thing to do.Now, it felt like foolishness to keep going down the same path when it was clear that my safety with Belle’s was at risk.“Are you sure?” he asked softly, holding my eyes to search if I was certain about the decision.I nodded again. “I am. This isn’t just about me anymore.” My throat tightened. “Whoever did this knew where to find me. I'm convinced that they also knew my routine. And if they were bold enough to do it in a school… then I don’t get to pretend this is nothing.”Dante’s jaw flexed. “Thank you,” he murmured like I’d just handed him some
Ava:At the same time, Cecily rushed out of the school premises, coming to meet us outside and holding my bag.The back door of the car was opened and the first thing I noticed was the cleanly ironed, black office trousers before my eyes drifting higher to find Dante’s gaze locked on me.“It’s daddy!” Belle squealed from beside me, and unlike the last time she dashed across the street.She simply jumped on her heels, waving him over while waiting for him to cross the street.“Were you somehow able to call him?” Cecily asked from beside me and I shook my head. I was just as surprised to see him here.Dante waved back as he crossed over to where we were standing, stopping right in front of me Belle embraced him the moment he stopped in front of us. Dante's lips pulled into a smile and he picked her up, settling her in his arms, his eyes falling on me.“Are you alright?” He asked, and my brows pulled together but I nodded.“I am.”His gaze turned to meet Cecily's who was staring blankly
Ava:“Christ, how on earth did she even get into the school grounds?” Cecily asked exactly the same thing Caroline had asked me, with shock and worry written over her expression.“I really don't know how either. Surprisingly, none of the footage even caught her. And the security officers had no idea someone like that came into the school.”She frowned, shaking her head before suddenly asking, “Did it happen after you sent me a text?”My expression mirrored hers as my brows pulled tight into a tight frown. “I didn't send you a text.”Her frown deepened. “You did actually. You sent me a text after our call ended, like twenty minutes after.”I stared at her, confusion washing over me. “What text?”Cecily pulled out her phone immediately, unlocking it and scrolling through her messages.She turned the screen toward me. “Right here. See? I didn't even see the text before; I saw it on my way here after your colleague told me what happened.”My heart sank as I read the message that read:I n
Ava:Caroline was quick. She came back in less than five minutes with new spare clothes that I wore before stepping out of the bathroom.I searched my pockets for my phone, and found them broken and wet.“This is really weird. I’m surprised the person was able to bypass the security officers at the gate.” Caroline muttered under her breath, her gazing falling on my phone’s screen which was broken.It was weird indeed, and more confusing that the person could go this far when I didn't even know who she was.Or perhaps she considered me as a threat the moment I started following her down the hallway, enough to leave me in the bathtub full of water.I brushed my palms across my nape, feeling light headed and dizzy, with a burning urge to simply lay down and close my eyes. The throbbing at the back of my neck hadn’t eased at all, and the earlier coughing had left my chest sore and tight.A sigh escaped my lips and I pressed my hands to my phone. It won't even come on. Water had gone deep
Ava:Her only feature that was visible was her dark hair, which was sticking out of the hoodie.She didn't respond to my apology but just stood there, staring at me through those dark sunglasses—or at least, I assumed she was staring. I couldn't tell for sure.Something about her felt off and so wrong.Her posture was rigid, her hands clenched at her sides. And the way she was dressed with a long-sleeved hoodie, gloves, a mask covering half her face, and sunglasses indoors was strange. That too, it was eerie for someone to dress this way on a school premise.How she even got in covered up like that was something I couldn't tell.“Are you okay? ” I asked, taking a small step back to give her space.She didn't say a thing but simply stood in front of me.The hallway around us was mostly empty; barely anyone came around this side except staff. And most of the kids were in the cafeteria or their classrooms having lunch. Every single thing I sent went into dead ears. She didn't respond t
Ava:Dante dropped Belle and I off at the premises of the school. He came down, and rounded the car, opening my door, and helping me out.“There really wouldn't have been any need for you to drive us over here. It's a walk-able distance.” That was exactly the same thing I had been telling him since we left the house, but his response was the same, again and again.“I’m heading this way, Ava.”I knew with certainty that he was only being persistent. Because the truth is, he wasn’t heading this way, he was heading the other way. I didn't argue further, since there was no use anyway.He carried Belle down from the back seat, and helped her pick up her lunch box, along with her school bag.Then he picked her up in his arms, before we walked into the entrance of the school together.The morning air was still cool, and the school grounds were already buzzing as students trooped on. Kids ran around in their uniforms, parents chatted in small groups near the gates and the teachers stood by t







