18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURcT5AtIhs
Jay stood in front of the entire faculty board, his voice calm but laced with fury.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iwm88lzE7
“She’s not the monster you think she is,” he said.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsnQf9GsK7
“The girl you all branded as unstable, arrogant, violent—Villanueva Ruthie—was the only one who stood up when everyone else stayed silent.”
Tahimik ang silid. Walang gustong umimik.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww8M36aPaz
One of the senior teachers cleared her throat, “Mr. Armada, this is highly inappropriate—”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCb8QCteZu
“No, what's inappropriate is how you all turned a blind eye,” he interrupted, voice rising just enough. “You knew about the complaints. About the harassment. About the lies. But you let it happen. You let her become your scapegoat.”
Someone slammed a folder shut. “This could cost you your position.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Jh9L3XIn
Jay looked them straight in the eye. “Then so be it.”
Hours later, sa labas ng gate ng school, he found Ruthie sitting on the steps, her eyes blank, face untouched by tears.
“You’re an idiot,” she murmured when she saw him.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYXFlYMxld
Jay smiled faintly. “First time mo akong tawaging ganyan.”
“Sayang ka. Hindi mo na dapat sinira pangalan mo para sa akin.”
Jay crouched beside her. “You’re wrong, Villanueva Ruthie. You were never a villain. Just the only one brave enough to be honest.”
ns216.73.216.254da2
