Chapter 4

Hunter's mother hadn't expected me to hold my ground like that, and for a second she just froze.

The principal, though, had lost his nerve completely.

A superintendent's inspection was a big deal—it decided whether he'd move up next year.

If this blew up in front of the superintendent, his days as principal were probably over.

He wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and turned to glare at me.

"Andrew Whitney, are you not satisfied until you drag this whole school down?"

"Apologize to Hunter's mother, now! Do everything she says!"

"Move it!"

I stood where I was and didn't budge.

"I did nothing wrong. I'm not apologizing."

Seeing that nothing got through to me, the principal stamped his feet in rage.

"Fine. You've got nerve!"

"Security, hold him down! Make him bow to Hunter's mother!"

The two guards heard the order and rushed forward, grabbing my arms on either side and locking them tight.

They were strong, and they forced my shoulders down hard.

Just as I was fighting them with everything I had, quick footsteps sounded from the hallway outside.

"Andrew!"

At that voice, my head snapped up.

Joyce shoved through the crowd and ran in, her face drained of color.

My stomach dropped.

"Why are you here?"

"Didn't the doctor tell you to stay in bed?"

Joyce's eyes were red.

"Somebody called me. They said you were being held down here at the school."

"I called you and you never picked up."

"I was afraid something had happened to you..."

Only then did I realize my phone had gone to silent somewhere in the struggle.

Joyce saw the two guards pinning me and stepped straight up to them.

"Let go of my husband!"

"If there's a problem, you can call the police, you can take it to court. What gives you the right to lay hands on him?"

Hunter's mother suddenly lunged over and swung her hand at Joyce's face.

"You're the jinx that made my son fall!"

Joyce couldn't get out of the way in time. Her lower back struck the edge of the desk, and she dropped hard to the floor.

Both hands went to her belly, her body curling in on itself.

My eyes almost split with rage as I fought against their grip.

"You dare hit her!"

"Let go of me!"

But the two guards held me fast.

Hunter's mother shook out her hand and jabbed a finger in my face, cursing.

"You people are teachers—you draw a government paycheck, so you should be serving us parents and students twenty-four hours a day!"

"Coming the moment we call is your job!"

"Letting you pick up my son was doing you a favor, and you still give me attitude!"

Right then, blood seeped out from under the hem of Joyce's dress.

"My stomach..."

"Andrew, my stomach hurts so much..."

The office went dead silent.

The two guards holding me were so shaken they let go.

I rushed to Joyce, dropped to my knees, and pulled her into my arms.

"Joyce, don't be scared."

"I'm calling an ambulance right now."

My hands shook as I dug my phone out of my pocket to call 911.

But Hunter's mother suddenly threw herself at me and snatched the phone away.

"Acting! You two just keep on acting!"

"She was fine a second ago, and now one little bump and she's playing dead on the floor?"

"Let me tell you, even if she dies right here today, you're giving me the sixty thousand dollars first!"

"Otherwise not one of you walks out that door!"

I wanted to stand and grab it back, but Joyce clung to my sleeve.

She was shaking all over from the pain, and I didn't dare let go of her.

All I could do was shout at the people around us.

"Somebody call 911!"

"I'm begging you, call an ambulance!"

"My wife is pregnant, she's bleeding!"

I looked toward the teachers crowded at the door.

But every one of them avoided my eyes, and some even stepped back.

Seeing that, Hunter's mother only got louder and bolder.

"I'd like to see anyone try!"

"Whoever dares call for him today can pay his sixty thousand dollars for him!"

The moment she said it, the few teachers who'd looked pained pulled their heads right back.

Just then, an authoritative voice came from the hallway outside the office.

"What's going on? Why are so many people gathered here?"

At that voice, a violent shudder ran through the principal.

He muttered to the guards, "Cover Andrew Whitney's mouth, fast. Don't let him make a sound."

Then he pasted on a fawning smile, parted the crowd, and hurried out.

"Oh, Superintendent! You're here early?"

"It's nothing, nothing—just a small dispute between a teacher and a parent."

"But don't worry, it's all been settled now."

"This way, please. Let's head to the auditorium first, they've already got a welcome ceremony set up for you..."

The principal was doing everything he could to steer him away.

I watched the guards closing in and, with every last bit of strength, shouted toward the door:

"Dad, don't go!"

"Joyce is in here—she's bleeding!"