Chapter 49: Don't dare hurt her

Emma slung her bag over her shoulder and grabbed Dorah's as well before hurrying out of the classroom. The hallway was a little crowded, but she spotted Prudence standing by the window waiting. She walked quickly over to her. 'Where's Dorah?" Prudence asked, her brows drawn together in concern as she noticed Emma was alone. 'She's in the clinic," Emma replied as they began heading out together. 'In the clinic? What's she doing there?" Prudence asked, frowning as they turned down the corridor. 'She has menstrual pain," Emma said, keeping her eyes ahead, her pace steady. Prudence's expression softened. 'Oh… my baby." Just then, Emma's eyes widened as they turned a corner. 'Geez!" she gasped. Prudence blinked. 'What?" But Emma didn't answer. Her gaze was fixed on a group approaching from the opposite direction, Jace and his friends, heading straight toward the clinic. Without waiting for an explanation, Emma dashed ahead, waving a hand. 'Guys!" she called loud enough to catch their attention. They all stopped and turned. Jace looked surprised. 'What's up? Why aren't you with Dorah?" Emma panted slightly, catching her breath. 'She's sleeping already, so I took the chance to go grab our bags. Did you remember what she asked you to get on your way back?" Jace's eyes widened. 'Oh no, I completely forgot." 'You guys can go ahead," he said, turning to his friends. 'I'll catch up. Need to go get Dorah's stuff." 'I'll come with you," Mira offered immediately. 'Okay, let's go," he nodded, and the two walked off quickly. Emma watched them leave, but before Max and Jason could follow the path toward the clinic, she stepped in front of them, blocking the way. 'Wait," she said, almost too nervously. Max and Jason exchanged a look, confused. 'Um... actually... I…" she trailed off, wringing her hands. 'What's it?" Jason asked, cutting her off when the silence stretched awkwardly. 'You're acting strange," Max said, tilting his head. They tried stepping around her, but she stepped sideways again, blocking them. 'What?" Jason raised a brow, growing impatient. Emma's lips parted, but words refused to come out. Jason narrowed his eyes, then suddenly his expression changed as a thought hit him. 'Ronald's with her, right? That's why you sent Jace away and why you're trying to stall us too, isn't it?" Emma froze, her eyes going wide. 'How… how did you know?" she stammered. Jason shrugged coolly. 'Ronald finished his paper before us and left without saying anything. Dorah's in the clinic. The puzzle solves itself. Where else would he go?" He walked past her, and Max followed. 'Ronald is with her?" Prudence asked from behind Emma. Emma turned and nodded slowly. 'Yes." Inside the clinic, the air was calm and quiet. Ronald sat beside Dorah's bed, his hand resting gently over her stomach, tracing soft circles in comfort. 'How are you feeling now?" he asked, his voice low and warm. Dorah smiled faintly, the pain easing. 'The pain has subsided. I think I'm good now." 'That's good." Ronald offered a relieved smile and slowly lifted his hand from her stomach. Just then, a sharp, disapproving voice pierced the quiet. 'Oh, so you're really here." They both turned toward the doorway. Standing there, arms folded tightly across her chest, was Madison. Her eyes were narrowed, her glare focused sharply on them. Ronald's expression changed instantly. He stood up, already frowning. 'What are you doing here, Maddie? How did you know I was here?" 'I'm here to see you," Madison snapped. 'And how I knew isn't any of your concern. The real question is, what are you doing here? Sitting that close to her, what is this, Ronald? Is it because your little crush is here? You do know there's a chair for a reason, right?" 'Maddie," he growled, his tone laced with warning. But she wasn't finished. Her eyes flicked to Dorah. 'And you, why did you even let him be that close to you? Need I remind you that he has a fiancée?" Dorah looked away uncomfortably. Ronald's eyes darkened. 'That's enough," he snapped, rising fully now. 'Maddie, outside. Now." He made to leave, but Dorah gently reached out and grasped his hand. 'Don't go," she whispered softly, her eyes pleading with him. He paused and looked down at her. For a moment, the tension in him eased. He brought his free hand to gently rest over hers, then smiled faintly. 'I'll be back," he promised. She nodded and slowly let go. Without another word, Ronald marched out with Madison, gripping her wrist tightly as he led her away from the clinic and any watching eyes. They stopped at a quiet corner behind one of the buildings, far enough from everyone. 'What are you doing here, Madison?" he demanded. She yanked her hand free, glaring. 'We had a deal, Ronald! What are you still doing with that girl?" Ronald folded his arms tightly across his chest. 'That girl has a name. It's Dorah. And our deal had nothing to do with her." 'You said we'd stay close, that you'd help me, support me...." 'Yes," he interrupted sharply, 'as a friend. Nothing more. And that arrangement didn't give you any right to interfere with my life." 'I don't want to see you anywhere near her," Madison snapped. 'You don't get to decide that!" Ronald stepped closer, his eyes hard. 'Just stay away from her or I make her stay away from you," She threatened standing akimbo. 'If you so much as hurt her or make her cry and I find out you had anything to do with it, I swear, Maddie, you won't like what happens next. You don't want to see the side of me that protects people I care about." Madison's breath caught. She took a step back instinctively, her hands trembling slightly. With that, Ronald turned and walked away, his shoulders tense with anger. At the clinic entrance, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, saw Madison's name flashing on the screen, and scoffed. He slid it back into his pocket without answering. As he stepped inside, Jace turned, surprised. 'Hey, where have you been?" Ronald walked past him with a shrug. 'Just somewhere." He leaned against the wall, his eyes going straight to Dorah. She was laughing now, surrounded by her friends, eating chocolate and looking much better. But even through the smiles, she noticed Ronald's strange silence. She glanced up at him and tilted her head, giving him a questioning look. Ronald met her gaze, managed a small smile, then looked away. Dorah held his gaze a second longer, then gave a subtle nod, her expression saying, We'll talk later.