Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Anthea
I never thought my life could settle down this fast.
After being followed last time, I figured everything was about to change.
Even with the bodyguards Silas arranged for me and Olei, I didn't think we could truly escape the danger.
So those first few days, I was on edge, waiting for something to happen.
But as the days passed, my nerves finally loosened.
No more suspicious people lurking around campus. Maybe whoever they were had backed off.
Thank God. Lucky break. I didn't have time to grill Silas about who sent them anyway—the upcoming parent-child sports day ate up most of my time. The other teachers and I scrambled to plan, to pull sponsors.
Finally, after all our effort, the day arrived.
"Careful, don't trip!" I called out to a kid racing across the field, his parents chasing after him.
Colored cones dotted the massive playground, dividing the space into neat sections. Balloons bobbed across the grass in the breeze, the sunlight dancing with them. Every child stood flanked by parents. Moms and dads chatted and laughed, bending down to talk to their kids.
I stood in the crowd, my gaze drifting past the smiling faces to Olei in his sharp little track suit, standing next to Silas. He stared at a family nearby—the mother kissing her child's forehead, the father laughing about winning first place. Longing filled Olei's eyes.
My heart ached, swollen and sour.
Suddenly, Silas spotted me. He said something to Olei, then strode toward me. He wore all black today, hair slicked back, sharp jawline on full display. Even dressed down, that don't-come-near-me aura radiated off him, parents instinctively stepping aside.
"Anthea." He stopped in front of me.
"Mr. Thorne." I nodded.
"I want you to join us today."
His steel-gray eyes locked on mine.
"What?" My mouth opened. I wanted to refuse.
This was parent-child day. I was just Olei's teacher. I couldn't participate. It wasn't proper.
But Ms. Molly, the grade coordinator, appeared beside us, smiling. "Anthea, since this is Olei's Dad's wish, I'll have to ask you. It'll keep Olei from overthinking things. After all, last sports day, some kids asked him about..."
She sighed, trailing off.
I looked at Olei standing there. The sensitive kid seemed to sense we were talking about him. He met my eyes. Hope flickered there, mixed with careful uncertainty.
My chest tightened. This was my child.
"Okay," I said.
The first event was a three-legged race. Which meant we needed perfect coordination. And... goddamn body contact with Silas.
A staff member walked over with straps. Silas took them, positioning Olei in the middle. We had to tie Olei's left and right legs to ours.
I opened my mouth to ask Silas for a strap, but he crouched between me and Olei, his long fingers working the rope around our legs. He moved slowly, fingertips grazing my ankle, sparking tingles.
I gasped.
"What?" He looked up, gray eyes innocent.
Innocent. Silas Thorne. Those words together were a joke.
"Nothing." My voice came out strained. "Done?"
"Done." He stood, moved to Olei's right, tying his own leg.
"Ready to win this, Olei?" I pumped up the little guy before the race started.
"Ready! We're gonna win!" Olei clenched his small fists.
Then Silas's arm slid naturally across Olei's shoulders, and that burning hand landed on my waist without warning. His palm was wide, strong, electric, heating my whole body. I tried to pull away.
"Don't move. Unless you want us to fall." His voice was flat.
He always had the most righteous excuses for the most domineering control. I gave up struggling.
The whistle blew. Race on.
"One, two! One, two!" Olei shouted the rhythm, excited.
We moved forward in sync.
Silas's arm held my waist steady. "I've got this."
I wanted to roll my eyes, but damn it, under his lead, we were fast and stable. Families were already tumbling around us, cheerleaders encouraging them as they scrambled up only to crash down again. We never stumbled once, staying in the lead the whole time.
When we crossed the finish line, second place was a dozen feet behind.
"Yeah!" Olei jumped, face flushed. "We're first!"
His smile blazed like a little sun, eyes crescents. First time I'd seen him this happy.
"Good teamwork," Silas said, smiling.
Kids from my class swarmed over, envious. "Olei, you guys are the best family ever! Our parents all fell down."
Best family ever. Something struck my heart.
Olei held my hand and Silas's, pride all over his little face.
The relay and obstacle runs went just as well. Silas was the star—his speed was insane, giving us a huge advantage.
At the end, the organizers gave the winning family a prize—a beautiful photo album filled with shots from today.
I flipped through it. Pictures of us from every angle. Sweating through the obstacle course, Olei cheering after we won the relay... and one from the three-legged race—Silas's hand around my waist, me turning my head just as our eyes met. That moment, frozen.
"I'll keep this." Silas's voice murmured near my ear.
I looked up at him.
"If you want to see the photos, come to me anytime." His tone was casual.
But I knew this wasn't a simple invitation. It was a hint to close the distance. I didn't answer.
At noon, Sarah led the parents off the field toward the cafeteria. Silas left with a reluctant Olei. Before going, he glanced back at me. That look made my cheeks burn.
After the parents left, some teachers stayed behind to clean up. Marcus and I got paired.
"Who would've thought," Marcus said, rolling up a banner, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Anthea, you and Mr. Thorne had such great chemistry today."
I ignored him, picking up balloon scraps.
"Mr. Thorne's quite the catch," he stepped closer, looking at me. "Rich, powerful, not bad looking either. You were practically glued to him today. So you really landed him?"
"Marcus, focus on your work." My voice was ice.
"Just curious." He smiled, and that smile made my stomach churn. "I saw your file. You're just some ordinary elementary teacher, living in a school-arranged apartment. So how'd you hook a guy like that?"
I didn't bother responding. People like Marcus—nothing I said would change his stubborn mind. I stood, heading for the flags.
"Wait!" He blocked my path, malice on his face. "Don't rush off. I've got something to show you."
He pulled out his phone, fingers swiping, then shoved the screen in my face.
I froze.
On the screen—a photo, clearly taken secretly. It caught the moment the Rolls-Royce door swung open, Silas inside, me bending down holding Olei as we got in.
Seeing my face go pale, Marcus continued smugly. "There's more."
He swiped. Another photo appeared. This one worse—me and Silas kissing at the school gate. Definitely Photoshopped. The editing was crude, but at first glance, shocking.
"You..." I stared at Marcus in disbelief. Why would he do this?
Marcus pocketed his phone, crossing his arms. "Anthea, you know how these elite private schools are. Reputation's everything. If I send these anonymously to the principal, or to the parent committee... think a slut teacher who seduces parents can keep her job?"
"What do you want?" I clenched my fists.
I couldn't lose this job. Couldn't lose time with Olei. Marcus hadn't reported me yet, which meant I had something he wanted. Money?
"Simple. Sleep with me once, and I'll delete everything." Marcus licked his lips, his words revolting. "You know I've always liked you, Anthea. If you can sleep with that rich guy, why not me? I'll make you feel good."
My blood went cold. I never imagined an elementary teacher could say something like that.
"Or you can refuse." He shrugged, voice vicious. "But one tap, and you're done. A teacher having an affair with a student's parent—what school would take you after that?"
"This is fake." I forced myself to stay calm. "This is slander. It's illegal!"
"The school won't care about truth," Marcus sneered. "I've been here five years. I know Higgins. All he fears is trouble. He'll take the fastest route to solve the problem—fire you clean."
I looked at him, ice water pouring over my heart. I barely knew Mr. Higgins. But Marcus had been here so long. What if he was right? What if these photos spread and the school's first move wasn't to verify but to get rid of me?
"So," Marcus's eyes crawled greedily over my chest, "think about it, Anthea. Tonight. Be with me."
His words made me physically sick. Even risking termination, I'd never agree.
"Get lost, you sick bastard!" I cursed, turning away. "Other teachers are right there. Unless you want them to see this side of you, back off."
But he grabbed my wrist, grip painful. "Don't be a bitch about it. Looks like you really wanna get kicked out!"
"The one who needs to get kicked out is you." A voice cut through, laced with lethal authority.
Marcus spun around, releasing me.
Silas walked toward us, backlit, face expressionless, but his eyes churned with killing cold.
"Th—Mr. Thorne?" Marcus stammered. "How—"
Silas didn't answer. He stepped forward, grabbed Marcus by the collar like a kitten, then slammed a fist into his gut, punching the words back down his throat.
"Ah!" Marcus doubled over, howling.
Teachers on the other side looked over, shocked and curious.
Silas didn't stop. Fist after fist, each one loaded.
"Mr. Thorne!"
I turned. Principal Higgins, flanked by two board members and two security guards, rushed over.
"Stop this instant!" Higgins shouted.
Silas dropped Marcus like trash.
Marcus scrambled toward Higgins like he'd found salvation. "Mr. Higgins, help!"
Higgins glanced at Marcus. "What's going on?"
"She—" Marcus pointed at me, voice shaking. "Anthea's having an affair with a student's parent!"
He crawled up, holding his phone out to the principal.
"I have proof! Mr. Higgins, if word gets out about a teacher seducing a parent, think what it'll do to the school."
Higgins frowned at the photos, expression darkening, disappointment in his eyes.
My heart sank. Done. I was done. Marcus was right—getting rid of the problem person was the cheapest solution. I stood there, waiting for Higgins's verdict.
"Anthea is my partner. Olei's biological mother." Silas's tone was calm.
Everyone froze. Marcus's jaw dropped.
Silas walked to my side, pulling me close. "Olei is our child. Mine and Anthea's."
Marcus looked like he'd been struck by lightning. "Wha-what?"
"It's true." I stepped forward, voice firm. "I'm Olei's biological mother."
Higgins almost instantly relaxed, like he'd found the perfect excuse to settle this mess.
Marcus's face went white, then green. He slumped to the ground. "This... how is this possible?"
He tried to say more, but Higgins cut him off fast.
"Get him out of this school, or I'll reconsider next quarter's donation." Silas's voice was ice. "I don't want my money paying for this kind of teacher."
The principal and board members exchanged glances, then nodded quickly. None dared cross this terrifying donor.
"Marcus, you think I can't tell this image was edited?" Higgins's tone turned harsh. "You've worked here a long time, but that doesn't mean you can use Photoshopped pictures to slander a dedicated teacher. Your career here is over."
"No! Mr. Higgins!" Marcus dropped to his knees, begging. "I was wrong, I swear."
Higgins didn't budge.
"Anthea, I'm sorry!" Marcus crawled toward me, but Silas blocked him. He turned to Silas. "Mr. Thorne, please forgive me. I thought Anthea was just some mistress of yours. If I'd known she was your partner, I wouldn't have touched her. I promise it won't happen again!"
Silas said nothing, staring down at him blankly.
My blood ran cold. Marcus said he was wrong—not because he realized his behavior was illegal, but because he'd crossed the wrong person.
"Take him to my office," Higgins ordered the guards.
Two security men hauled Marcus away. Higgins and the board members apologized to us, promising a proper resolution, then left with the gawking teachers.
Only Silas and I remained on the field. I looked at him, emotions tangled. He'd stood beside me in a way I never expected, solving my problem.
"Why did you say that?" My voice came out rough. "You're an investor here. You could've handled Marcus another way."
He could've thrown money at this. He didn't need to announce my identity to everyone, call me his partner, Olei's mother.
"It's the truth," he answered. "I chose this school, donated the library and tech building, all to give Olei the best environment. I won't let anyone here hurt his mother."
I didn't know what to say. Silence spread between us.
"Tonight. Dinner with Olei?" He used Olei's name to invite me.
I looked up at him. Golden noon sunlight bathed him, softening his edges.
Anthea is my partner—his words still echoed in my ears, my heart a mess. Honestly, if it was about spending time with Olei, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. But Silas... I couldn't interact with him like a normal relationship yet.
"No." I refused, words rushing out like I was convincing myself. "Too much happened today. I'm tired."
This morning had been a rollercoaster, my brain overloaded. At the sports day, we'd been like a real family, side by side. Then, when Marcus threatened me, Silas appeared like a hero, calling me his partner.
Silas was quiet for a moment, then nodded. Didn't push.
"I should go." I turned, walking away fast.
I didn't dare look back. I was afraid I'd change my mind.
"You..." I looked at him, emotions churning. "You've been investing in this school? How long?"