Chapter 171

Emma's POV

By the time I finally pulled into the school’s parking lot, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the grounds. I parked haphazardly and rushed out of the car, my heart hammering as I approached the main building.

Inside, the receptionist greeted me with a knowing look, her expression soft with sympathy. “Ms Wales, the headmaster is waiting for you in his office.”

I nodded, my throat too tight to respond, and hurried down the corridor toward the headmaster’s office.

The familiar hallway seemed to stretch on forever, my legs feeling weak beneath me as I forced myself forward.

When I reached the headmaster’s office, I paused, taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart.

James was sitting there, outside the office, his small frame hunched over in one of the chairs. His face was pale, his face had a faint bruise, and his clothes were rumpled, with a few scratches on his arms that were already treated. My heart dropped as I noticed the faint bruisin