CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE'S HEIR

the doorway, looking embarrassed. Her hair was a

, Ms. Reed," Mrs. Reynol

e hated being the center of atte

t's the matter, Kelly

arning look. "One more word, Mr. D

She was one of the few teachers who didn't ignore the bullying.

elly. My heart skipped. Liam was standing t

hands on

ke him regret it someday. His smile quickly disappeared, replaced by his usual calm expression. Still holding Kelly's shoulders, h

ynolds's face softened. "A

ed, not sa

ing" Mrs. Reynolds smiled. "

ing everyone think he was helping her. I searched his face, but he just looked as calm as ever

to sit at the front. She didn't say a word as she took the seat, and I felt trapped. We wer

iam's presence behind me was like a heavy weight. I

'll perform a script with a partner and add your unique sty

ised their hand. "Can w

random," Mrs. Reynolds rep

ers laughed. I forced myself to t

my desk. Before I could reach down, Liam was already holding it, his eyes on me as he twirled the pen between

ockers, staring at the ground with her earbuds i

ied! Why didn't you c

me, her eyes bl

Liam do something

zzled. "What does he

to class with

ly. "He found me outside the nurse's

anger rise in me.

ged. "He was actually

wisted. "Fri

it sounds strange, b

ou were friends with him

rted fidgeting with her bag, her voice barely a w

ly, you're stronger than you think.

before walking into class. Kelly snapped, she's admitted defeat. This is unusu

trol. She's usually so calm and

eak down like this? And what did she

ce fro

my best friend as

e, and I feel an unsettli

atch a glimpse of L

smi

asses keep us busy, leaving

p bouncing, and I keep chewi

every class. Every. Single. Class. And Liam

he Kings would just stand there until the

to me since flashin

y words. If he said something, I could

eady making me feel like

elly bolts out of the ro

ol, but she's not by the

ead to our next clas

I accidentally bump int

w

in the entrance

gaze and feel

m has his arm around her

gs you don't w

rents f

g getti

orld

arms is something I definit

t on, is seeking comfort from someone

stirs in my stomach

's probably doing this on purpose

d back the ange

them, fists tight, his

nown for cutting you down with words

d the school photographer is snappi

whole school will know

a

p on purpose? Did h

xpression hard and unyielding as he s

m staring

slap that

rn

bout to lose it, but Liam

silence, like everyone's wait

and pulls her back. She looks u

ts her go, and she hurries down t

urn to face Liam. His gaze is on me,

h and lean in. "Mee

I don't know what I'm planning yet, but I

axwell behind, I

hidden under the stairs, head

mint strands fall

ch her carefully, as

cream at her for lett

e came back from summer camp. She's chan

es meet mine,

hug, burying her f

t friend for not not

iam comfort her – she just

s with me through h

d, and I care about you. Ple

you ever thought... that maybe you're

ossible," I say, trying to la

right thing." She sighs, looking away. "I did somethi

dn't do anything wrong. Don't believe whatever

smiles a little through her tear