Chapter 167

Serena's POV

After leaving the auditorium, Milo went off to his high jump event, and Stella headed to her gymnastics competition. I went up to the stands to watch, looking for a good vantage point.

Milo competed first in the high jump. His small frame gathered energy like a coiled spring before launching skyward. Each successful jump brought enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, particularly from Rachel, whose voice carried across the field.

"Go, Milo! You're amazing!" Rachel's voice pierced through the ambient noise as Milo prepared for his sprint. She was standing now, waving enthusiastically from her premium seat near the front.

I noticed Milo's slight discomfort at the attention, his cheeks flushing pink even as he cleared the bar.

Stella's gymnastics performance came next. Where her brother was all explosive energy, she moved with a grace that seemed to suspend time. Her ribbon traced delicate patterns through the air as she performed, each movement precise and controlled. The audience's applause felt almost reverent. I found myself holding my breath during her more complex sequences, though my face remained carefully neutral.

After their competitions, the transition to the indoor pool brought an unexpected confrontation. As parents and students moved between venues, Rachel spotted me in the crowd.

"Miss Sinclair!" Her voice carried that particular pitch of calculated surprise. "You're here too? I haven't seen you all morning - where have you been hiding?"

Before I could respond, Stella materialized at my side. "Mom's very busy," she said, her tone perfectly polite yet somehow final. "We're just grateful she made time to come."

Rachel's smile flickered for just a moment. "Oh, you should have sat with us in the front! You missed such a great view of Milo's events. He was absolutely incredible in the high jump, wasn't he?"

I noticed how she deliberately avoided mentioning Stella's performance. Beside me, Stella's small hand slipped into mine. "Mom saw my routine," she said quietly. "I saw her applauding."

The swimming competition began with its usual controlled chaos. Milo stood at the starting block in his navy swimsuit, looking simultaneously excited and self-conscious. Rachel had positioned herself right by the pool's edge, her enthusiasm drawing attention from other parents.

I stayed back with Stella, who held up a small handmade sign reading "GO MILO!" in careful block letters. When Milo glanced our way, I gave him a subtle thumbs up. His answering smile was immediate and genuine.

The race itself was over quickly. Milo's form was excellent, his strokes powerful and efficient. Stella counted his laps under her breath, her grip on my hand tightening with each turn. When he touched the wall first, several lengths ahead of his closest competitor. I couldn't help feeling proud. Milo had inherited my swimming talent.

In the stands, Stella was clapping enthusiastically for her brother. She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Mommy, Milo swims so well!"

I nodded with a warm smile. After the swimming competition, Milo went to the locker room to change.

Lucas left first with Rachel Thorne. I wondered if he was deliberately giving me some time alone with the kids.

Either way, Stella and I stayed behind, waiting by the entrance for Milo to come out.

Milo's POV

The warm shower did little to wash away my exhaustion after the swimming meet, but I couldn't stop smiling. First place. Dad would be proud when I showed him the medal tonight.

The locker room was mostly empty now. Most kids had already left with their parents, their excited voices fading into distant echoes. I carefully hung my wet swimsuit on the hook, making sure it wouldn't touch my clean clothes. Dad taught me to always keep things orderly, even small details matter.

The sudden slam of my locker door nearly made me jump. I turned around to find Tommy Wilson glaring at me, his face red with anger. He had come in second place, trailing behind me by almost two seconds. I recognized the swimming gear he wore - the same brand Dad got for me, but his was still new while mine was worn from countless practice sessions.

"You stole my first place, you little brat!" Tommy's voice echoed against the tiled walls.

I took a careful step back, maintaining eye contact. "I won fair and square."

"Fair?" Tommy sneered, taking a step closer. "Do you know who my father is? The new swimming pool? That's from my family's donation!"

I swallowed hard but kept my spine straight. "So what? That doesn't change how fast we swim."

The punch came without warning, catching me in the stomach. I stumbled backward, my shoulder hitting the metal lockers with a dull thud. The pain made my eyes water, but I blinked the tears away.

"Hey guys, look who needs a lesson!" Tommy's voice carried through the locker room. Heavy footsteps approached - two older boys I recognized from the senior division. They were both significantly larger than me, with matching cruel smiles that made my stomach tighten.

"Hold him," Tommy ordered, and before I could react, rough hands grabbed my arms. The chlorine smell from the pool was replaced by their sweaty grip as they pinned me against the lockers.

Tommy stepped closer, his face inches from mine. "Call me boss and promise to lose next time. Then maybe we'll let you go."

"Never." The word came out automatically, even as fear crawled up my spine.

His face twisted with rage. "Wrong answer, rich boy." He nodded to his friends. "The garbage can. Let's see how he likes that."

My blood ran cold. The garbage can in the corner was overflowing with wet paper towels and used band-aids. Just the thought of being anywhere near it made my skin crawl. I started struggling harder, but the older boys' grip was like iron.

"Stop! Let me go!" My voice cracked, betraying my panic. They dragged me closer to the garbage can, my feet scraping against the floor. The smell got stronger, making my stomach turn.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Tommy laughed, watching as they forced my head closer to the garbage. "Maybe next time you'll remember your place."

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the nauseating smell. The pain I was bracing for never came. Confused, I slowly opened my eyes, wondering why they'd hesitated-

That's when it hit me. The nauseating wave of stench came first, followed by a rush of putrid water. The garbage can lid slammed down on my head with brutal force, the impact sending me crashing to the floor. Their raucous laughter filled the locker room as I lay there, soaked in filthy water with trash clinging to my hair and face.

Through watering eyes, I could see their distorted faces above me, still laughing. Tommy's voice cut through the ringing in my ears: "Now that's what I call taking out the trash!"

My hands trembled as I tried to push myself up, but my head spun from the impact. Something warm trickled down my temple - I wasn't sure if it was dirty water or blood. The chlorine-scented air mixed with the garbage stench, making me gag.

"Should we give him another round?" one of the older boys asked, reaching for the garbage can again.

I wanted to say something defiant, but my vision was blurring.