Lily thought Nathalia was now afraid, so she took advantage of it "Bullshit. Now you are scared, aren't you? Well, I will let you off this time if you beg me."

She thought she had got the game. ​​

"How dare you! Lily Roberts, behave yourself!" Mr. Brown's voice thundered through the room. Lily was struck. She was shivering, terrified, staring at Nathalia in shock and dared not turn around to face Mr. Brown. You tricked me! Nathalia Carter, how dare you!

She had been hoping to win the prize as Monitor of Excellence this year, and now it had turned hopeless.

Mr. Brown was extremely disappointed. He had never expected one of his all-time favorite students to behave like this. Yet, at the same time, he was pleased with Nathalia and started to see her differently.

"I appreciate what you said just now, Nathalia Carter. Well done. I'm sure you can do well in your study as well. I have high expectations for you." Mr. Brown had always cared about his students' mannerisms as much as their study.

"Thanks, Mr. Brown. I will do my best." Nathalia replied with sincerity. Mr. Brown gave her a thumb up before he turned to Lily and said sternly, "Lily Roberts, come to my office."

Worried and scared, Lily turned around, saw Mr. Brown leaving, and turned around to face Nathalia furiously. "Nathalia Carter, you tricked me! This is not over yet. You wait and see!"

"Sure. Take your time." Nathalia replied with a serene smile. If they are mean, be meaner to them. Fear not and accept no bullying. She assured herself.

Bitch. Shit. How will Mr. Brown think of me now? Shit. Shit. Shit. Lily cursed silently as she hurried to Mr. Brown's office.

She totally lost the game. Mr. Brown gave her a good talking to and dismissed her from her position.

Back in the classroom, Nathalia acted as nothing had happened. She took out her books and started reviewing her homework as she thought to herself, I do need to work harder. I've wasted a lot of time.

Sophie was even more confused. This is not Nathalia Carter. What has happened to her?

"Nathalia?"

"Yes?" Nathalia answered without taking her eyes off her book.

"You have changed." Sophie couldn't help expressing her curiosity and surprise.

"Well, everyone changes." Another casual reply from Nathalia.

Sophie looked at her for a few seconds, then chuckled, "I like how you've changed."

She's so different now. It's a big difference. I wish I could do the same.

"You can change as well." Nathalia looked up at her and smiled sweetly.

Be brave, be strong, be fearless, keep moving forward, and you will reach the light.

They exchanged smiles. A seed of friendship was sown, and soon it would grow into a tree with its branches reaching the sky.

The day passed quickly. A storm hit unexpectedly just when school was over. A few hours ago, the sun was still shining, and now it was pouring down. The students were stuck in the classroom, hoping it would blow away soon.

Nathalia watched the rain while waiting for the diver to pick her up. The sky looked suffocatingly heavy. Somehow it made her feel emotional.

Flashes of memories haunted her.

She wished she was like common people, born in a common family. She wanted no wealth, luxury, or power, but love, love from her parents and siblings, a peaceful, happy life.

For her, it was a dream too distant to reach.

"Forget about it." She let out a deep sigh.

After waiting for a while, she received a phone call from, instead of the driver, Evette. "Hey, Nathalia, I've got something urgent to do and need the car. Why don't you get a taxi home? Bye."

"Wait, Evette. Evette? …" It was too late. Evette had hung up. She rang back, but the phone was off. She tried ringing home to get another driver to pick her up, but strangely she couldn't get through.

Seriously? This is another game you are playing? Just to trap me in school? Huh.

Sophie seemed to sense that something was wrong and offered to help "Hey, Nathalia, my mum's here. Would you like to jump into our car? We will give you a lift."

Nathalia wiped her thoughts off and accepted Sophie's offer. It's a small Honda, nothing fancy, especially compared to the Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari that Nathalia was used to. However, she felt relaxed being with Sophie and her mother, Lisa Watson, and soon, they were talking and laughing.

Lisa Watson was smart and outspoken. She loved her daughter, and it was apparent. Everyone could see it in her eyes. The way she looked at her daughter. Nathalia saw it, and she was happy for Sophie, yet at the same time, it reminded her of her own mother. If mum was still alive… she couldn't help thinking about all sorts of possibilities.

It's the first time Sophie has got a friend. Lisa was thinking to herself. She had always felt guilty for not being able to give Sophie a normal home since her divorce and been hoping she could help her daughter regain confidence and see her shine again.

Lisa noticed that Nathalia wasn't one of those spoiled rich girls. Instead, she was polite and pleasant. The two girls were getting along well. Lisa was very pleased to see her daughter laughing, and she felt grateful to Nathalia.

Nathalia learned that Lisa owned a clothes shop in town, and business was good. She couldn't help wondering if her mother could have been the same as Lisa, independent, and confident if she was still alive.

No. She couldn't. She would never divorce. She loved him too much. She knew he had a mistress, but she pretended she didn't. She lied to herself so that he would stay.

Is it worth it? For a man that doesn't even love you? Is it worth it?

No. Never!

There isn't anyone in the world that you can't live without!

When you don't even love yourself, how do you expect others to love you?

And if others don't love you, you should love yourself more!

Nathalia was lost in her own thoughts, looking disconsolate, and heavy-hearted. Sophie and her mother noticed and exchanged worried looks. "Nathalia? Nathalia? Are you ok?" Sophie tapped Nathalia on her arm a few times as if to wake her up from a deep sleep.

What's happened to her? Why does she look so upset?

Lisa had pretty much guessed what it was about as she herself had been through a lot in her life. Every family has a skeleton in the cupboard. A rich family doesn't always mean a happy one.

Nathalia collected herself, thought of something, hesitated, then said meekly, "Mrs. Watson, I'm sorry if my question upsets you, but have you ever regretted divorcing Sophie's dad?"

Lisa didn't expect that coming, but she answered firmly, "No, never. Though I wish I could give Sophie a normal family.'

When a man doesn't love you anymore, what's the point in begging him to stay and compromising yourself? It's better to let go and free yourself.

"Mum." Sophie murmured. Tears suddenly filled her eyes. It must have been hard for mum all this time. She thought.

Nathalia felt inspired and encouraged. "Women don't have to depend on men. We can be independent. We can be brave." She uttered.

Lisa watched Nathalia from the rear mirror. There was pride and determination on her face. She is a girl of independent thoughts. She has goals to achieve and the ability to do it.