Page 38 of My Only

She shared inspirational quotes in our group chat.

Lifted us up on our bad days.

And now, seeing her like this?

It hurt.

“Hey,” I said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder, lowering myself so our eyes met. “Are you okay?”

She patted her red, puffy eyes, sniffing back the tears that hadn’t fallen yet. “I can’t believe what the hell just happened.”

“What happened?”

Her breath shuddered as she dropped her arms.

Her eyes darkened.

“This bitch came here...”

I jerked my head back. “Damn.”

“Approached me as soon as I got out of my car—talking about how she’s been sleeping with my husband for over a year.”

My stomach dropped.

“Just like that.” Her lip curled in disgust. “Showing me pictures. Text messages...”

My heart started pounding.

“Telling me she’s tired of hiding it. That he’s been telling her he’s gonna leave me for her.” She inhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling. Her eyes flicked around the hallway, the weight of everyone’s stares pressing in on her.

Then, as if making a decision in real time, she exhaled sharply.

“I can’t stay here.”

She jumped to her feet and turned on her shoes, storming toward her classroom.

I turned to the other teachers. “Should we call a sub or something? Like… what do we do right now?”

We all stood there, looking just as stunned as the next person.

It wasn’t just about what had happened.

It was about what it meant.

Because the kind of love we thought Janae had?

The kind we all looked up to?

The kind of love I hoped I would always have with Hassani?

It had been a lie.

Once Janae was gone, the rest of our staff held a quick meeting, deciding to secure a substitute teacher for her class.

With only ten minutes left before I had to greet my kids in the yard, I sat at my desk, trying to collect myself.

The entire morning had gone nothing like I planned.

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