CHAPTER 199: THE BRAVEST GIRL I KNOW

I was up before the sun again, chopping fruits with that heaviness still in my chest.

Lunch for Alia. Sandwiches, fruit, her favorite juice box. It’s such a small thing, but it made me feel like I was holding on to something normal.

By the time I went back to the room. I heard Dominic groan from the bed. That low sound tired, dramatic sound like he hated waking up.

"Good morning, babe," he rasped, his voice was rough with sleep as he stretched.

I glanced at him, water running down my face. "Morning, Dom." I dropped the towel, reached for my shorts, pulling them on.

His hair was all messy, sticking out in every direction. He squinted at me. "So... you’ve been awake since, what, 4 a.m.? Why?"

I let out a sigh and tugged the waistband of my shorts into place. "I just wanted to get Alia’s lunch ready."

He smirked, leaning back on his elbows. "You know, we could always just order food, right?"

"Dom..." I shook my head and walked over, holding his hand. "I wanted to do it myself." I squeezed his fingers. "I’ll be dropping her off at eight. It’s already seven." I nodded toward the clock on the wall.

He smiled. "Then let’s drop her off together."

Something in me eased. "Ohhhh... thank you."

I started to turn, then smirked at him. "Go shower. You smell like sperm."

He burst out laughing, dragging a hand down his face. "Fine. Rude, but fine."

I headed into Alia’s room. Part of me wanted to let her skip school, just hold her close all day.

But I couldn’t. If I did, it’d only prove Mrs. Torres right...that I wasn’t competent enough night to get her ready for school.

So I manned up, sat on the edge of her bed, and touched her shoulder. "Hey, baby."

Her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep. "Ash..." she mumbled, rubbing at them.

"Time for school," I said softly.

She groaned like I’d just ruined her whole life.

"I ironed your clothes already," I told her gently. "Go have your bath, okay?"

She nodded weakly, dragging herself up. I stood to leave when her little voice stopped me.

"Ash?"

I turned back.

Her arms folded over her chest. "Will those bad people come for me today again? I... I don’t want to go to school."

The question stabbed right through me. My throat tightened as I forced a smile, walking back to kneel in front of her.

"Hey," I said, brushing her hair back from her face. "Nobody is coming for you, okay? You’re safe. You’ve got me."

Her big eyes searched mine. "Promise?"

"Promise." My voice cracked a little, but I kept it steady enough for her. "You’re the bravest girl I know. And if anyone tries to say otherwise, they’ll have to deal with me first."

She blinked at me for a moment, then slowly let her arms drop. "Okay... but only because you said so."

"Good girl," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Behind me, I heard Dominic’s voice. "He’s right, Alia. No one’s touching you. Not while we’re here. Not while I’m here."

I glanced at him....standing in the doorway now, hair damp, shirt half on...and for a moment, just knowing he was there steadied me.

The kitchen smelled like toast and eggs by the time we dressed up. I was plating food, trying not to hover too much, while Alia sat at the table swinging her legs.

"Why do I even have to go to school?" she muttered, stabbing a piece of fruit with her fork. "I already know how to read. And write. And do math. That’s like... ninety percent of life."

Dominic chuckled, dropping into the chair beside her. "Yeah? What about the other ten percent?"

She didn’t miss a beat. "TikTok."

I almost choked on my coffee. "Alia!"

"What?" she shrugged, totally serious. "You can’t survive without it."

Dom leaned over, pretending to whisper. "Honestly, she’s not wrong."

I shot him a glare. "You’re not helping."

Alia giggled, clearly proud of herself, and reached for another slice of toast. She chewed for a second, then squinted at Dominic. "Are you going to school today? Or do you just kiss Ash all day?"

I dropped the mug. "Alia!" And sat beside Don.

Dom slapped the table, laughing so hard he nearly spilled his water.

Alia tilted her head innocently, biting into her toast. "What?"

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "This is the worst breakfast ever."

Dom reached over, sliding his hand onto my knee under the table, hidden from her view. His smile softened, eyes flicking to mine. "Best breakfast ever, if you ask me."

After breakfast, it was the usual circus of getting out the door....Alia hunting for one missing shoe, me chasing her with her backpack, and Dominic trying (and failing) not to laugh at both of us.

By the time we were in the car, Alia was buckled in the back, humming loudly to herself. Dominic was driving, one hand relaxed on the wheel, the other reaching for mine every now and then.

I sat in the passenger seat, trying to hide the way my chest tightened the closer we got to school. My palms were sweaty against my jeans. I kept glancing at her in the rearview.

Dom reached over and squeezed my thigh gently.

Alia leaned forward, eyes on me. "Ash, are you okay? You look like you’re about to throw up. Are you carsick? Do you need gum?"

I forced a laugh. "I’m fine, baby. Just... thinking."

"About what?" she pressed. "Taxes? Global warming? Or about Dom snoring last night?"

Dom groaned. "Hey! I don’t snore."

"Yes you do," she sang, wagging her finger. "I heard it through the walls. You sound like a walrus."

God, she had no filter.

Alia leaned forward in her seatbelt, her eyes widened with excitement. "If Jayden ever tries to sit with us, I’m gonna....." she made karate chop motions with her hands.

"Hey hey hey," I interrupted, turning halfway in my seat. "No fighting, okay?"

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "It was a joke, Ash. You’re so dramatic."

Dominic chuckled. "She gets that from you."

I shot him a look, but the way he smiled at me made my chest loosen just a little.

When we finally pulled into the school lot, my stomach twisted. Alia was bouncing in her seat, ready to bolt out, but I wasn’t ready to let her go.

"Baby," I said softly, twisting around to face her. "Remember what we talked about? If you feel scared or tired in class... you can tell your teacher. Or me. Okay?"

"You don’t have to worry. Nobody’s gonna mess with me. Not Violet, not Jayden, not even the slime monster." She grinned at her own joke, then leaned over the console to hug me tight.

The burn in my eyes almost spilled over. "I love you," I whispered into her hair.

"I love you more," she said, clutching her little backpack with one hand and the paper bag of snacks Dominic had brought last night with the other, before hopping out of the car.