The new school owner

Lindsay POV

“Why didn't daddy take me to school today?” Leia asked as I stared down at her with my hand wrapped around hers.

"You heard your father. He has to be at work today”

"Don't you have to be at work too?“

"It's fine honey”. I smiled at her even though my cheeks hurt so bad. It was bruised, thanks to Asher. I had to apply tons of foundation to it. The only problem I had was how I was going to hide it from Shaun. He had always been the observative one.

"Alright say bye-bye to mummy,” I said to Leia who was already running to her class. She turned around and gave me a hug.

"That's enough sweetheart” I kissed her on her cheek and off she went.

I was about to leave too, but my name was called.

"Mrs. Thompson” I turned around to see who it was.

I hadn't met that woman before, but that didn't stop me from smiling. I was always so quick to smile. That was to my disadvantage that day because my cheeks were starting to hurt so badly. It was as if the skin of my cheeks tore each time I smiled.

“Hello there," I said to the blonde woman who approached me with an equal smile on her face.

“I believe you are Leia's mother?" She asked and I nodded.

“Good, can I have a word with you?" She asked.

she noticed my discomfort the moment she said those words. “It will be a brief one, I promise”

"Okay” I smiled once again and I instantly regretted it.

We walked into her office where she offered me a seat. Of all days for this woman to request a meeting, it had to be today. I wished Asher was the one caught up in this, not me.

"Let's get this over with,” I said and she began.

"I am a mother and I also have a job. I know how difficult it is to balance these two. But even with that, I still have time for my children”

I didn't like where the conversation was going. "And?“

"I got reports from Leia's teacher that she isn't responsive in class. She doesn't have a lot of friends either”

I paused for a while as I let out a sharp breath.

"I think something is going on, but she wouldn't talk to any of us. As a mother, I think you should find out what's wrong with your kid”

"So I'm the problem now? “

"Of course not Mrs. Thompson. I just think it will be best if she opens up to you. Maybe it has to do with what's going on at home"

Anger flooded me instantly. Asher should be the one here for this conversation. He had been the one exposing her to all manner of violence. It was such an awful timing.

“Mrs. Thompson," she called out.

“What the fuck do you think I can do to change that?"

“you can just..."

“You know what? Why don't you talk to her father? He will be in a better position to answer your question" I grabbed my purse and was about to leave, but she stopped me.

“I hate to be unbearable, but we have a PTA meeting today. The new owner wants to address you all” she said with a nervous smile.

"A new owner? What happened to the former one”

"He passed it to his son”

"Are you fuckin kidding me” I muttered under my breath as I walked out of the office.

"The conference hall is by your left" I heard her yell from behind and I rolled my eyes.

I brought out my phone from my purse.

“I'll be late" I texted Shaun and placed my phone back in my purse.

The conference hall was already halfway filled up when I got there. I took a seat at the spot I found not too far from the stage. I didn't fail to suppress my anger because I knew it wasn't going to help anyone.

Every one of the school boards came up and said a few things, but I barely listened. The parents even gave suggestions, but I didn't.

All I could think of was. It was one of the biggest schools in the state. Why didn't they create a group chat for all the complaints? That was selfish of me, but I didn't care about the betterment of a school or even the world.

I used to have that zeal, that drive to make the world a better place. I even used to be an activist. My favorite quote was ‘no woman should be treated as crap’. I was living the moment until Asher came and sucked every bit of happiness from me. I was left empty, with nothing. I didn't even have the drive to wake up in the morning to start up a new day.

“Put your hands together as we welcome the new owner" The headmistress announced and I looked up.

A man went up to the stage and my mouth dropped.

"What the fuck”

It was Shaun.

Why was Shaun standing on the stage and why did the headmistress introduce him as the owner?

It was bad

So bad!

I had a kid in that school and since he was the owner, there was a high chance of him finding that out. I couldn't tell Asher to take Leia out of the school. He would stuff his fist in my mouth.

Shaun's eyes scanned the whole place and since I was somewhat close to the stage. He saw me!

My soul left my body as I gazed at him. He looked at me in disbelief. Of course, he didn't expect me to be there.

I couldn't stand the tension anymore, so I stood up from my seat and walked out of the conference room.

My legs were wobbly as I took those steps out because it felt like Shaun's eyes were on me. While in a real sense, it wasn't.

I succeeded in walking outside without falling over and I almost cried. Why was the universe against me? I had to get Leia out of the school. I couldn't risk Shaun finding out about my Marriage life. I was scared that if he did, he would cut everything he had with me. Who would want to fuck a married woman with a kid? That was sick.