Chapter 2: The Name Everyone Feared
My father carried me into the principal's office.
I hated that.
Not because of him.
Because I knew everyone was watching.
I wanted to walk.
I wanted to show everyone I was strong.
But my father's arms around me reminded me of something important.
Being strong did not mean pretending you weren't hurt.
The principal, Mr. Harrison, closed the office door behind us.
His voice was nervous.
"Mr. Moretti, I sincerely apologize.""
My father placed me carefully in a chair.
"Apologies are not what my daughter needs.""
The room went silent.
I heard him kneel in front of me.
"Emily, where does it hurt?""
"My knees.""
"Anything else?""
I hesitated.
"My feelings.""
His expression softened.
"I know.""
The principal cleared his throat.
"The students involved will receive appropriate discipline.""
My father stood.
"Appropriate?""
The single word made the room quiet.
Mr. Harrison quickly continued.
"I mean... we will investigate.""
My father looked toward him.
"No.""
I could feel the tension.
"You will not investigate whether my daughter was bullied. You will investigate why three students believed they could hurt someone weaker and laugh.""
Nobody spoke.
Then the office door opened.
Adrian's father walked in.
Mr. Vale.
A wealthy businessman who owned half the luxury stores downtown.
He smiled politely.
"Vincent.""
My father did not respond.
"I heard there was a misunderstanding between the children.""
A misunderstanding.
That word made my stomach hurt.
Mr. Vale continued.
"Kids make mistakes.""
My father looked at him.
"My daughter fell on the floor because your son took away the tool she uses to move safely.""
Mr. Vale sighed.
"Adrian is young.""
"So is Emily.""
The room became silent again.
I heard Adrian enter behind his father.
For the first time, he wasn't laughing.
He sounded nervous.
"Mr. Moretti...""
My father turned.
"Yes?""
"I didn't know...""
"You didn't know what?""
Adrian stopped.
My father stepped closer.
"You didn't know she needed the cane?""
The boy said nothing.
"You didn't know she was scared?""
Silence.
"You didn't know everyone was watching?""
Adrian's voice became smaller.
"No.""
My father nodded.
"That is the problem.""
I expected anger.
I expected shouting.
But my father remained calm.
That was what frightened people.
He didn't need to raise his voice.
Everyone listened anyway.
Later that afternoon, I sat in my father's car outside the school.
The city passed by the window.
I thought he would be disappointed.
Instead, he asked quietly,
"Why didn't you call me?""
I looked down.
"Because I wanted to handle it myself.""
He was silent.
Then he said,
"I am proud that you want to stand on your own.""
I smiled slightly.
"But?""
"But you need to understand something.""
He reached over and held my hand.
"Strong people still ask for help.""
I didn't answer.
Because deep down, I knew he was right.
That night, I heard my father on the phone.
I wasn't trying to listen.
But the walls of our house were quiet.
And his voice carried.
"Find out everything about those students.""
I froze.
A colder voice answered from the other side.
My father continued.
"No threats. No revenge.""
A pause.
"Just the truth.""
I walked away before he noticed me.
The next morning, something strange happened.
When I arrived at school, everyone knew.
Not just about the accident.
About me.
Students who ignored me before suddenly wanted to help.
Teachers smiled too much.
People whispered when I walked by.
"That's Vincent Moretti's daughter.""
"The mafia boss?""
"Her father came here himself.""
I hated it.
I didn't want to be famous because of fear.
I wanted people to know me because I was Emily.
At lunch, I sat alone.
Then someone approached my table.
It was Lucas Bennett.
The boy who had laughed.
He stood there quietly.
"Emily.""
I didn't answer.
"I wanted to apologize.""
I touched my juice box.
"Why?""
He hesitated.
"Because I was wrong.""
I heard him place something on the table.
My cane.
"You left this in the hallway.""
My fingers touched it.
I wanted to believe he was sorry.
But then I heard another voice.
A voice that made me stop.
Chloe.
She whispered,
"Lucas, don't do this.""
He lowered his voice.
"She didn't deserve it.""
Chloe laughed softly.
"Her father scared everyone. That doesn't mean she wins.""
I turned toward them.
"What did you say?""
Silence.
Then Chloe spoke.
"You heard me.""
And the next words she said made my heart sink.
May you like
Because she revealed something I never knew.
"This wasn't the first time someone tried to embarrass you here.""
