Chapter 6 – A Broken Morning

Charles drove toward town still worried about what the said. The familiar hum of the old black sedan filled the silence between him and Alicia, but today, the quiet felt different—heavier.

Alicia sat in the backseat, pressed against the window, watching the trees blur past. Normally, she would be rambling about her dreams, asking random questions, or singing whatever song was stuck in her head. But today, she was silent.

Too silent.

Charles stole a glance at her through the rearview mirror. Her tiny fingers gripped the hem of her dress, her small shoulders slumped. She looked… sad.

He frowned. "You okay, sweetheart?"

Alicia didn't respond right away. She sighed, kicking her little feet against the seat. "I don't wanna go to school."

That made Charles's grip on the wheel tighten.

"Why not?"

She hesitated before muttering, "I don't like it anymore."

That sent a wave of concern through him. Alicia loved school. She loved learning new things, playing with her friends, and showing him the drawings she made in class.

Charles glanced at her again. "What happened?"

She shrugged but kept her head down.

"Alicia," he pressed gently, "talk to me. Did something happen?"

She fidgeted with her fingers before whispering, "The kids… they make fun of me."

Charles felt a flash of anger stir in his chest. "Who?"

"Some kids in my class," she said softly.

Charles clenched his jaw, but he kept his voice calm. "What did they say?"

Alicia hesitated before answering, "That I don't have a mama. That if she really loved me, she'd pick me up after school, like theirs do."

Charles's stomach twisted painfully.

Alicia sniffled. "And then Miss Linda said… maybe my mama ran away."

The car swerved slightly as Charles's hands tightened around the wheel. He took a deep breath, trying to control the rising rage boiling in his veins.

"She what?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.

Alicia wiped at her eyes. "She said… if my mama loved me, she wouldn't have left. And everyone laughed."

Charles pulled the car over to the side of the road, putting it in park. He turned around to face Alicia, his expression unreadable, but his dark eyes were stormy with emotions.

"Alicia," he said firmly, "listen to me."

She slowly looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Your mama didn't leave you," he said, his voice rough but gentle. "She loved you more than anything in this world."

Alicia sniffled. "Then why isn't she here?"

Charles swallowed hard. He wished he had the right words—wished he could erase the pain in her little heart.

"She didn't leave because she wanted to," he said softly. "She had to go somewhere far away. But if she could, she would be here every single day."

Alicia blinked, thinking. "Like the moon?"

Charles gave a small, sad smile. "Yeah… like the moon."

Alicia sighed dramatically. "I don't like the moon. It's too far away."

He let out a small chuckle. "Me neither."

For a moment, they just sat there in the stillness of the morning, the only sound being the soft breeze outside.

Then, Charles reached over and gently wiped away the tear rolling down her cheek. "And don't let anyone tell you otherwise, okay? No one gets to decide what's true about your mama except us."

Alicia hesitated before nodding. "Okay, Papa."

He smiled slightly. "Good girl."

A moment passed before he added, "Tell you what, how about after school, we go get some ice cream?"

Alicia looked up, her interest piqued. "Really?"

"Really."

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Can I get chocolate?"

Charles chuckled. "You always get chocolate."

She grinned. "Because chocolate is the best."

He ruffled her hair. "Alright, chocolate it is."

Alicia giggled, and for a brief moment, her sadness faded.

Charles exhaled, relieved. But deep inside, his anger remained.

Miss Linda had crossed a line.

And Charles White was not the kind of man to let things slide.

---

At School

The moment Charles pulled up in front of the school, Alicia's smile dimmed again. She held her backpack tightly and stared at the entrance as if it were a prison.

Charles turned to her. "You sure you'll be okay?"

She hesitated before nodding. "I think so."

"If anyone bothers you again, you tell me, alright?"

She nodded again, but her fingers still gripped her bag too tightly.

Charles sighed. "Come here, kiddo."

Alicia leaned over, and Charles pulled her into a warm hug. "You're stronger than you think, alright? And no matter what, I'm always here for you."

She buried her face in his shoulder for a second before pulling away. "Okay, Papa."

Charles kissed the top of her head before unlocking the door. "Go on. I'll pick you up later."

Alicia hopped out of the car and gave him one last look before walking toward the school building.

Charles watched until she disappeared inside, his jaw clenching.

Then, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello?" a gruff voice answered.

"It's Charles," he said, his tone cold. "I need information on a teacher. Miss Linda. Find out everything about her."

The voice on the other end hesitated. "Charles… you said you were done with all that."

Charles's grip on the phone tightened. "I was." His voice dropped. "Until she messed with my daughter."

There was a pause. Then, the voice sighed. "Alright. I'll see what I can dig up."

Charles ended the call, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel.

Miss Linda had made a mistake.

And soon, she would realize just how big of a mistake it was.

---

Alicia's Breaking Point

The classroom was filled with chatter as Alicia took her seat at the back. She tried to keep her head down, hoping no one would bother her.

But, of course, they did.

"Hey, orphan girl," a boy sneered from across the room. "Is your mom still missing?"

Alicia stiffened, gripping her pencil tightly.

Another girl giggled. "Maybe she got lost on her way home."

The children laughed. Alicia felt her cheeks burn.

Then, Miss Linda walked in. "Alright, settle down."

The class quieted, but the smirks remained.

Alicia tried to focus on her workbook, but she could still hear the whispers.

Miss Linda glanced at Alicia, her expression unreadable. "Alicia," she called.

Alicia looked up.

The teacher smiled—a smile that wasn't warm. "Do you know why it's important for parents to be involved in their children's education?"

The class giggled. Alicia's hands trembled.

Miss Linda's smile widened. "Because it shows they care."

Something inside Alicia snapped.

Without a word, she shot up from her seat and ran out of the classroom.

She didn't stop.

Not when the other kids laughed. Not when Miss Linda called her name.

She just ran.

Her chest hurt. Her eyes burned.

She just wanted to get away.

Far, far away.

Away from the whispers.

Away from the laughter.

Away from the pain.