Jay POV
When we reached the principal's office, the air felt heavy. Like a storm had already passed… but thunder was still waiting.
Hex was standing.
Marcos and his dad were seated comfortably in front of the headmaster.
Talking.
Keifer and the others entered behind me.
"What's going on here?" I asked, my voice steady.
The headmaster looked up. "Miss Mariano… Keifer, you are here as well."
I didn't answer him. I walked straight to Hex.
"What did you do?" I whispered sharply. "I always tell you to stay calm."
Hex avoided my eyes.
That's when I saw it.
A red slap mark across his cheek.
Fresh.
Angry.
Painful.
My blood ran cold.
"Who slapped you?" I asked quietly.
"I'm fine," Hex muttered.
"Who hit you?"
"I did."
I turned slowly.
It was Marcos' father.
Jayden Reyes.
"Why?" I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
"Because he lacks morals and discipline," Jayden replied smoothly.
"So that's your solution?" I shot back. "Hit a young boy?"
Jayden's jaw tightened. "Look at what he did to my son."
Marcos turned slightly.
The Section E boys inhaled sharply.
Marcos looked bad. Bruised. Swollen.
The headmaster cleared his throat. "Miss Mariano, Charles' behavior has crossed the line. This is unacceptable. He must be punished."
"I have no reason to stop you from punishing him," I said firmly. "But how could you just sit there and watch someone slap my brother?"
Marcos suddenly muttered, "Because my dad is powerful. He can make your lives miserable."
Hex laughed bitterly. "What a joke. You want to make my life miserable? Very funny."
"Hex. Keep quiet," I warned.
Jayden folded his arms. "See, Headmaster? No discipline."
The headmaster sighed. "I'm sorry, Miss Mariano. I will have to expel Charles from the school."
Expel.
The word hit like glass shattering.
"Um, sir," Keifer stepped forward calmly. "I don't think that will be needed. That would be too harsh."
"That's what he de—" Jayden began.
Keifer turned slightly. "I'm speaking to the headmaster, not you. Please keep quiet."
The room froze.
Then Keifer continued, voice steady.
"Sir, what Charles did was wrong. But that's not who he is. He's only twelve. He's respectful to teachers. He helps classmates. He stands up for others. He may be stubborn, but he's not heartless."
Hex looked up slightly.
Keifer added softly, "He's still hurting. Someone very close to him died suddenly. He hasn't fully healed. That doesn't excuse what he did, but it explains the anger. He needs guidance… not exile."
Silence.
The headmaster leaned back in his chair, thinking.
Finally—
"Very well. Charles Navarro, I will suspend you for one week."
Keifer exhaled. "Thank you, sir."
I looked at him. "Wow, Keifer."
He gave me a small grin. "Anything for you."
He walked over to Hex. "You good now?"
Hex stared at him for a moment.
"Come on. Let's go."
Hex left with Keifer and the boys.
I stayed.
I turned to Jayden.
"If I were you," I said calmly, "I would focus on how to raise Marcos properly. Because Trisha will definitely face consequences for what she's done."
Marcos' voice cracked. "My mom is not a killer."
Tears slid down his face.
I bent down to his height.
Gently wiped his tears.
"Let the law decide that, okay?" I said softly.
I ruffled his hair.
Then I stood up.
And walked out.
End of chapter.