Chapter 81
Just then, a girl stepped forward, her voice uncertain but steady enough to cut through the noise. “Hold on We don’t even know the full story yet. Don’t rush to conclusions.”
Her words weren’t loud, yet they carried weight in the chaos.
“Oh, come on. The evidence is right in front of us. Clearly, Kayla staged the whole thing, What else is there to figure ou? someone shot back with a sneer.
“But Kayla doesn’t seem like that type,” another argued. “She’s been brushing Davon off for weeks. Just earlier, she slapped him twice in front of everyone and chased him down for money. If she really liked him, would she humiliate him like that?
“Or maybe that’s her way of playing hard to get,” someone countered,
“Fine, then who is the father? Don’t tell me Kayla was… You know…” one student trailed off, their eyes gleaming with suspicion.
“No way. Are you saying it was one guy… or more?” another cut in, wide–eyed, almost thrilled at the scandal.
The chatter rippled through the crowd until Marianna stepped out, her expression arranged into worried concern, though the glint in her eyes betrayed her glee.
“Kayla,” she said in a syrupy tone, “you’re the Sexton family’s golden girl. Sure, we all know you like to have your fun. No one’s blind to how many boys you hang out with, but now you’re pregnant. Was this something you wanted, or were you forced into it?
“You should really clear that up. If someone did hurt you, we’d help you call the police, wouldn’t we?”
Then, as if struck by revelation, Marianna gasped theatrically. “Oh my God, Kayla. Don’t tell me you’ve been fooling around so much you can’t even tell who the father is?”
She gave Kayla a knowing look, dripping with innuendo, and the crowd practically exploded.
“No way. She didn’t go that far, did she?”
“Think it’s more than one guy? Can you even count them on one hand?”
“She’s gorgeous, but if she’s really been with that many guys… what a waste,” someone muttered, half regret, half judgment.
Through it all, Kayla stood there calm as stone. Her face betrayed nothing, her gaze detached, as if she were watching a cheap play unfold.
A faint, mocking smile tugged at her lips as she finally spoke, her voice laced with contempt. “Marianna, your talent for putting on a mask is honestly impressive. The way you slap labels on people? You really missed your calling in theater.”
The words sliced like ice, and Marianna’s face drained of color.
Kayla’s eyes flicked to Davon, her tone hardening. “And you. Stop spreading rumors. Keep pushing, and I’ll take this to
court.”
But Davon and Marianna only pressed in closer, deaf to the warning.
“What are you hiding, Kayla? Is the father such a disgrace that you can’t even say his name? Or is it what everyone’s thinking? That you’ve been with so many men you don’t even know yourself?” Davon spat, his voice sharp enough to cut.
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Chapter 81
12 55 Valichers
He could barely contain his fury, thinking, ‘She used to act so devoted, like I was her whole world. And now this slut turns out to be a mess behind the scenes. Shameless.”
The thought curdled in his chest, darkening his face further.
Around them, the crowd surged with voices, questions piling one over another until the whole scene spun into chaos.
“Enough!” The shout rang out from a distance, deep and forceful, cutting through the noise like a whip.
Heads turned. Payton was striding toward them, his face dark as a thundercloud, eyes sharp with fury.
He swept his gaze over the crowd, his voice low but laced with steel. “We’re all classmates. Is this really necessary? Do you have to be so cruel?”
Then his eyes fell on Kayla. He looked her over quickly, his tone softening. “Are you alright?”
Kayla blinked, startled, and shook her head almost without thinking.
She wondered, ‘Why is Payton here? And… why is he standing up for me?‘
The last time they had spoken, they had parted on terrible terms.
Davon let out a mocking laugh, his lips twisting into a sneer. “Well, well. Look who’s playing hero. Don’t tell me that baby she’s carrying is yours.”
Payton’s jaw tightened. He had suspected something ever since he’d seen Kayla walk into the obstetrics department at the hospital. He hadn’t expected to be right.
But as far as he knew, Kayla was only ever close to Davon. She hardly spoke to other guys.
The thought that something might have happened to her gnawed at him.
Kayla might not like him much, but he couldn’t believe that a girl who looked after struggling classmates and cared so much about people’s pride would get herself tangled up recklessly with someone else.
That thought settled it for him. With a sudden, resolute motion, he pulled Kayla behind him and raised his voice so everyone could hear. “Stop guessing. Kayla is innocent. She knows nothing. If anyone’s to blame, blame me.”
The words stunned the crowd into silence. Even Kayla stared at him, wide–eyed, completely bewildered.
He thought, ‘What is he talking about? What does this have to do with him?‘
Davon’s expression soured, his sneer deepening. “So that’s it? Kayla, I wondered who you had your eye on. Turns out it’s Payton. You really don’t have much taste, do you?”
Inside, his thoughts were even harsher. ‘She knew I wasn’t interested, so she just gave up and latched onto some loser?
Pathetic.
The onlookers wasted no time piling on, their voices buzzing with gossip.
“A simp and a thug. Figures they’d end up together.”
“Payton’s got lousy grades and no background, but he’s good–looking. No wonder Kayla went for him.”
“They always acted like they barely knew each other. Guess they were sneaking around all along. A baby, too? Shows you never know people.”
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Chapter St
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Kayla’s lips twitched with frustration. She tugged at Payton’s sleeve, hissing under her breath. “What are you doing? Stop making things up. This has nothing to do with you.”
Payton only patted her hand gently, a steady look in his eyes. “Don’t worry. Let them put it all on me. You’ll be fine.”
His reputation was already ruined. One more stain wouldn’t make a difference.
He turned back to the crowd, voice ringing out. “Kayla’s a good girl. She knows nothing. It was me who…”
Before he could finish, Kayla smacked him hard on the head, cutting him off.
“Shut up!” she snapped.
Payton had convinced himself she was pregnant and was ready to shoulder the scandal alone. What he didn’t realize was what kind of disaster those words could bring down on him.
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