Chapter 71
Adelina only now realized there was someone else behind them. Latham stood there quietly, but his presence was just as commanding as Jim’s uncle from before.
She faltered, unsure. “Who are you p>
“I’m Garth’s uncle,” he replied, calm and collected. “Adelina, you’re still so young, but you already know how to look down on people, huh p>
Without another word, he pulled out his phone and made a call. “Jack, I need the surveillance footage from first grade, class two. Yeah, my nephew got into a fight. His teacher isn’t being fair, so I want to see what really happened p>
Adelina’s face went pale. She clearly hadn’t expected Garth’s family to have such close ties with the principal.
“Mr. Latham, let’s just talk this out. There’s no need to bring the principal into this, is there p>
Latham glanced at her, his gaze cool and steady. “My wife tried to talk to you nicely before, but you didn’t want to listen. This school is huge. I just needed to find someone who understands plain language p>
The whole situation was resolved much more quickly and simply than Dorothea had expected. The classroom cameras even recorded sound. It was all there-Jim started the fight, Garth only pushed back after being provoked past his limit, and then Jim, in a knee-jerk reaction, punched Garth. That’s when things really broke out between the two boys.
After the initial shock, Garth managed to pin Jim down and barely got hurt at all. The truth was obvious. Both boys were at fault, but Jim was definitely more to blame.
Adelina was disciplined, and a new teacher would be taking over her class the next day. The principal also promised to talk to Jim’s parents personally, and Jim would have to apologize to Garth in front of everyone.
By the time they left the school, the city lights were just starting to glow. Dorothea drove home first, while Latham said he’d take Garth back.
Neither of them spoke the whole way home. Latham kept waiting for Dorothea to mention what happened with Albert. He wanted her to say something, anything, about being cornered in the hallway.
But she never did. Not a single word
Latham
of complaint, even after they got home. Garth had told him a little about what happened, but Latham still didn’t know the details. And anyway, Albert was someone Dorothea had liked for years. Pride kept Latham from asking more.
Linda watched them come home, one after the other, picking up on the tension between them. With a knowing look, she brought a bowl of speciatonic soup to each of their rooms. It was a secret recipe from Ladd, who swore it was amazing for their health.
Linda smiled at Dorothea and reminded her, “Drink it while it’s hot. It’ll do you good p>
Dorothea smiled back and promised she would. Linda gave Latham the same advice.
That night, Dorothea couldn’t sleep. Her whole body felt warm, restless, and her mouth was dry. She finally gave up, got out of bed, and headed to the fridge for cold water.
Even after downing a bottle of ice water, the heat inside her wouldn’t go away. Dizzy and unsteady, she stumbled back to her room, crawled into bed, and rolled over, only to find herself staring into another pair of burning eyes.
“Latham, why are you in my room p>
His eyes darkened with desire as he stared at the strap of her nightgown, which had slipped off her shoulder. Her skin underneath looked impossibly pale in the moonlight.
Latham’s voice was low, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed. “You came into the wrong room. Don’t blame me p>
Whatever was left of their restraint vanished in that moment. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.