I was resting in the shade with my parents, just about to stand up, when Blake suddenly spoke.
"Mom... it was Melissa. Yesterday at school, she confessed to me, and when I rejected her, she held a grudge. She drugged me and dragged me to a hotel. I just woke up. She... she ruined my whole life..."
I froze.
Before I could even react, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were already charging toward us.
Blake clearly hadn't expected me to be there.
The moment he saw me, he quickly lowered his head.
The memory of my parents' tragic deaths in my previous life flashed violently in my mind.
Instinctively, I stepped in front of them.
And that was when Mr. Jordan's fist slammed into my face.
"You little animal! Just because he rejected you, you ruin his future?! Do you know what our family sacrificed for this day?!"
I wanted to explain, but he was too far gone in rage.
Before I could utter a word, he kicked me to the ground.
That punch—it felt like he put his entire life's strength into it.
A sharp burst of pain shot through my nose.
Warm blood poured down instantly, coating my eyes, nose, and mouth in a sticky mess.
My father saw me fall and rushed toward me, nearly crazed. But the moment he reached me, Mr. Jordan kicked him aside as well.
Years of hard labor had given Mr. Jordan a terrifying strength.
"A pair of filthy father–daughter trash! You ruined Blake's future—don't you dare think you'll live comfortably after this!"
More and more parents gathered around.
Many of them knew about Blake's academic performance.
Hearing that he missed the exam because of my supposed "revenge," their anger exploded.
They surged forward all at once.
Fists and kicks rained down on my father and me.
"When a child does wrong, the father is to blame! Let's teach you two a lesson!"
"So young and already causing trouble! You'll be a menace to society when you grow up!"
"Mr. Jordan, hit them! If anything happens, we'll testify for you!"
Through the haze of pain, I forced my eyes open, searching the crowd.
There, behind everyone was Blake.
His face, moments ago twisted in false misery, now carried a faint, triumphant smile.
The last lingering thread of hope I had for Blake snapped completely.
At last, I was fully awake. The boy standing before me was no longer the Blake who used to chase after me day and night, begging me to explain exam questions. Since he wasn't that person anymore, there was no reason to spare him any dignity.