Chapter 33 Amelia stared at the email on Damiens school account, her blood running cold.
The subject line was blank, but the message inside was anything but innocuous: Leave your dad alone, or youll regret it.
Her hands trembled as she closed the laptop.
She glanced at the clockonly an hour until she had to pick the twins up from school.
She needed to act quickly, but panic gripped her, clouding her thoughts.
That afternoon, as she waited by the playground gate, she noticed Damien standing apart from the other children.
He leaned against a tree, his head bowed, arms crossed tightly over his chest.
The sight was a stab to her heart.
When he climbed into the car, Amelia kept her tone light, though concern gnawed at her.
How was your day, sweetheart? Fine, Damien mumbled, staring out the window.
Amelia exchanged a glance with Debby, who looked confused.
Damiens been grumpy all week, Debby offered.
He wont even play with me.
Shut the hell up, Debby! Damien snapped, his voice sharp enough to startle them both.
Damien! Amelia scolded, though she kept her voice calm.
We dont talk to each other like that.
He slouched deeper into his seat, muttering under his breath.
Later that evening, Amelia found herself at the school for a parent-teacher meeting.
James approached her in the hallway, a warm smile lighting up his face.
But his expression shifted when he saw the tension in hers.

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Is everything alright, Amelia? She hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
Its Damien, she admitted finally.
Hes been so distant lately.
Angry, even.
James nodded, his brow furrowing.
Ive noticed.
Hes not himself in class.
Hes withdrawn, distracted.
I tried talking to him yesterday, but he just shrugged me off.
Amelia sighed, rubbing her temples.
I dont know what to do.
I just… I want to help him, but he wont let me in.
James leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he considered her words.
Theres something heavy on his mind, he said thoughtfully.
And I dont think its just about whats going on between you and Ryan.
Amelia frowned.
What do you mean? James hesitated before speaking.
Kids pick up on more than we think.
But sometimes, its not just emotional stuff.
Have you checked if hes dealing with anything… external? Amelia thought back to the email, her stomach twisting.
She hadnt mentioned it to anyone yet, unsure of how to proceed.
The next morning, while Damien was at school, she pulled out the laptop and reopened the message.
Her heart raced as she read it again.
This wasnt just a bullyit was someone targeting her family.
Who would do this? she whispered, her mind racing.
Damiens behavior suddenly made sensethe outbursts, the withdrawal, the anger.
He was scared, and she hadnt seen it.
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