Chapter 214

Henry pretended not to hear Dominic and ignored him.

The teacher gasped at Henry's boldness, then hurried over. "Mr. Blackwood," she said carefully, "may I ask why you need Henry's bag?"

She was caught between two forces she couldn’t afford to cross.

After a tense moment of deliberation, she decided that angering Dominic Blackwood would be far worse. She reached for Henry’s backpack on the desk.

"Don’t worry, Henry," she said with a forced smile. "Mr. Blackwood isn’t trying to scare you. He’s just concerned." She handed the bag to Dominic. "He was cleared at security this morning. There’s nothing dangerous inside."

Dominic took the bag, his expression unreadable. "I recall he had a laptop with him."

The bag was suspiciously light. His brows lifted in surprise.

When he unzipped it, he found only a spare set of clothes—no laptop in sight.

The teacher shifted nervously. "Oh, Henry does have a small laptop. He likes watching cartoons on it."

Dominic dropped the bag back onto Henry’s desk and loomed over him. "Why didn’t you bring it today?"

Henry rested his head on the desk and closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

The teacher forced a laugh. "Should I call his mother?"

Henry shot up instantly, his dark eyes blazing as he glared at her. Without a word, he snatched his bag and stormed out of the classroom.

"Henry, wait!" The teacher rushed after him. "I won’t call her, I promise!"

But Henry didn’t look back.

Sophia stood by the door, watching as Henry marched past. "Henry," she called softly.

He barely spared her a glance before quickening his pace.

Dominic caught Sophia’s wrist as she tried to follow. "Where do you think you’re going?"

"Henry!" Sophia pointed after him, her face pinched with worry. "Where is he going?"

"His teacher will handle it," Dominic said firmly. "Let’s go back to your classroom."

But the moment he loosened his grip, Sophia wrenched free and sprinted after Henry.

"Wait for me, Henry!"

Dominic frowned.

Why was she so attached to him?

What had happened between them?

With a frustrated sigh, he followed.

Henry managed to slip past the school gates, the teacher and Dominic hot on his heels.

If he were alone, he would’ve hailed a cab and gone straight home.

But with three people chasing him, that wasn’t an option.

So he walked.

Dominic held Sophia’s hand as they trailed behind Henry, while the teacher kept pace on the opposite side of the street. The odd procession moved aimlessly through the city.

"Henry," the teacher called, breathless, "let me take you home."

"I don’t want to!" Henry snapped.

"Then where do you want to go?" she pressed. "It’s not safe for you to wander alone."

Henry scowled but didn’t answer.

Half an hour later, they reached a bustling street.

Sophia’s eyes widened as she took in the sights—her first real glimpse of the outside world.

Dominic watched her closely, noting how she absorbed everything with childlike wonder.

Zoe had said exposure to society would help her condition.

Before the last surgery, Sophia had refused to leave the house at all.

But now, she was curious.

It was progress.

The thought made Dominic’s mind drift to Zoe.

Maybe he should be nicer to her.

After all, she was the only one who could save Sophia.

Realizing they weren’t giving up, Henry stopped abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk.

Dominic took the opportunity to pull Sophia back. "Let’s go home. It’s too hot—you’ll get sick."

Sophia shook her head, her face flushed with heat. "Henry will get sick too."

Dominic’s frown deepened. "Why are you so fixated on him?" He crouched to her level. "Would you follow him if he went home?"