Part 3Don’t You Believe Me Now

I had no idea what she planned to do, I just stumbled along, her grip like iron on my arm.

As soon as we reached the school, she turned and glowered at me.

“Today, we’re going to find that boy who led you astray! The whole school is going to see what you’ve done!”

The main entrance was full of students. Their eyes felt like needles piercing my skin.

I hung my head, my arm feeling dislocated, the tears clogging my throat as I pleaded over and over.

“Mom, I didn’t. It’s stress, it’s really just stress…”

She wouldn’t listen. She kicked open the door to the main academic building, pulling me down the hallway, yelling at anyone in sight.

“Listen up, everyone! She’s three months from her final exams! I work myself ragged to pay for her education, and she’s out here sleeping around and ruining her future!”

“The boy who did this to her—show yourself! If my daughter doesn’t get into a good college, her life is over! Can you pay for that?!”

I bit down hard on my lip, my nails digging into my palm, my face burning with shame.

Ms. Harrison, my class advisor, rushed over when she heard the commotion, quickly trying to pull my mother away.

“Lydia, please calm down. Willow is still a minor. Let’s discuss this quietly.”

“Quietly?”

Mom violently shook off the teacher’s hand, then raised her own and slapped me again, the impact leaving my ears ringing.

“Don’t you know that education is your only way out?! You do this now, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”

“You don’t understand the sacrifices I’ve made! You don’t know what I’ve given up so you can have a decent future!”

I clutched my face, the tears finally bursting free. I choked out the words, screaming at her.

“I didn’t do anything! Why do you never, ever believe a single word I say!”

Ms. Harrison could no longer stand by. She pulled me behind her and spoke to my mother with a grave authority.

“Lydia, making a scene like this is damaging Willow too much.”

“I’m taking Willow to the doctor right now. When the results come back, we’ll know the truth.”

Mom jutted out her chin, refusing to back down, but couldn’t withstand the teacher’s insistence. She only glared at me with pure venom.

“Fine, let’s go! I want to see how long you can keep up this little performance!”

At the clinic, the doctor finished the checkup and looked at my mother with a weary expression.

“Ma’am, your daughter is not pregnant. She has severe hormonal imbalance due to chronic stress. She just needs rest and adjustment.”

“Adjustment?”

Mom sneered, pointing her finger at my face.

“Not pregnant doesn’t mean she hasn’t done filthy things! She was probably fooling around with some boy, which messed up her body and her grades!”

“I saw the birth control pills in her drawer! If she’s not doing anything ‘filthy,’ why would she have those dirty things?”

Ms. Harrison’s usual calm finally broke. She frowned and spoke with cold authority.

“Lydia, the birth control pills were my advice.”

“They can be used to delay a period. I told the girls who are under severe pressure to have them on hand and speak to a doctor about managing their cycle for high-stakes exams.”

Mom was momentarily stunned, but immediately pivoted, pointing a finger at me again.

“Then who wrote you that love letter?! That boy in front of you? Why are you so shameless?”

I froze, the blood in my veins turning to ice. The years of pent-up humiliation and anger finally exploded.

I stared at her, my voice trembling but stubborn.

“Even if someone else wrote me a love letter, you would still find a way to make it my fault!”

“I haven’t done anything wrong! Not a single thing!”

It was the first time I had ever truly fought back. Mom was first shocked, then her face went crimson with rage. She raised her hand to strike me again.

“Oh, you dare talk back now! That boy has turned your head completely!”

“You little tramp! You’re just a slut in the making! You should quit school and go sell yourself instead!”

“Lydia!”

Ms. Harrison stepped in front of me, her body shielding mine.

“Willow’s grades are excellent! If she maintains this, she has a real shot at a top university!”

Mom’s furious expression froze. She abruptly changed tack, moving as if to touch my head, but I flinched away.

She didn’t get angry, a rare response. Instead, she offered a brittle, forced smile.

“Well, in that case, why aren’t you hurrying back to class with your teacher?”

“Your teacher says you’re doing so well. You must study hard. You are our last hope, Willow.”

Ms. Harrison looked at Mom, said nothing, and simply took my hand, leading me back toward the school.

But walking back, a new wave of terror washed over me. I couldn’t face the other students. I was afraid of their pity, their mockery, their staring eyes…