Thomas’ Explanation
Thomas let out a deep sigh. “I didn’t recognize it was you at first, Isabella. By the time I realized, it was too late.” His voice held a trace of guilt. “I should’ve done something, I know.” But his words did little to ease the sting; if anything, they felt like salt in an already raw wound. Still, I reminded myself that Thomas wasn’t the real problem here. He may have stayed silent, but it was Derek who orchestrated the entire humiliation—and Derek was the one who needed to be dealt with.
Thomas’ Explanation
Maria’s Concerned Message
Just as I hung up, my phone buzzed—it was a message from Maria. “Hey, are you okay? I saw everything. Let me know if you need anything.” Her words offered a small but genuine comfort. In the middle of all the chaos, it was reassuring to know someone actually cared. Moments like this revealed who your real friends were. I replied with a quick thanks and promised we’d catch up soon, but even with that flicker of support, my mind stayed locked on one thing—fixing this mess and making sure Derek faced the consequences.
Maria’s Concerned Message
