Henry's POV
He doesn't tell anyone.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkxv26HM26
Not his lawyer. Not his parents.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnqfa3jDnd
Definitely not Sam.
He just shows up.
The school has a little event for parents—an informal open classroom. He wears a clean shirt, shaves, brings a small teddy bear from a gift shop that cost more than he has.
When he signs into the visitor log, no one questions it. No one stops him. He finds her class, waits near the mural of suns and flowers and glitter-splattered butterflies.
And then—he sees her.
Angelique.
She's laughing with two other girls, hands sticky from glue, cheeks pink from excitement.
He watches for a second. Feels something sharp twist in his chest.
Then he steps forward.
"Hi," he says.
She looks up. Blinks.
Then: "Hi."
Her voice is sweet. Curious. Unbothered.
He kneels a little. Holds out the bear.
"This is for you."
She takes it gently, but doesn't hug it. Just studies it like it's another school project.
He smiles, unsure. "Do you know who I am?"
She nods.
"You're Henry," she says.
Not Daddy.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJzxAX03hY
Not Tatay.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cOdDEIPUv
Just... Henry.
It stings. But he keeps smiling.
"Your mom told you?"
She shakes her head. "I already knew."
He swallows. "And... how do you feel about that?"
She tilts her head. "I'm okay."
He waits for more. Some childlike excitement. Curiosity. Tears.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubpV9RKef6
But she just shrugs—like he's no more special than the janitor or the fruit stand guy.
"You don't want to ask me anything?" he tries. "Or talk?"
She offers him a polite smile. The kind her mom wears when she wants someone to leave her alone but not feel bad about it.
"No thank you," she says softly. "I already have everything I need."
And then she turns back to her glitter sheet and sticks the bear next to her paper sun.
Henry's hands clench.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW4eEdhywO
His stomach flips.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzF34StBlY
His head spins.
He thinks: Samantha must have poisoned her.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrRFc1PRBz
Must've told her lies. Twisted the truth. Made her forget.
How else could she say it so... calmly?
How else could she look at him like he's nothing?
He doesn't even remember how he gets back outside.
Only that he stumbles into the street, throws the empty bear wrapper into a trash bin, and suddenly—he's not angry anymore.
He's just irrelevant.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONf23bSL0X
