Love symbol

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Hazel sat quietly in the car with Zamiel, still trying to process what had just happened. The situation was so sudden that it felt surreal—was Zamiel really the one who came to save her from her stepsister?

"Are you okay?"

Zamiel's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. Hazel nodded slowly and replied, "Hmm, I am okay. But I thought you said you could not make it to school today, so why are you here?"

"Just passing by," Zamiel replied casually, though his expression clearly gave him away. Hazel knew he was lying but chose not to press the matter further.

A short while later, Zamiel stopped in front of a house painted white with a sky-blue gate. He clicked a button on a remote control, and the gate opened automatically. They both stepped out of the car, and Zamiel led the way inside. Hazel hesitated for only a moment before following him.

When she stepped into the house, her eyes widened in awe. The interior was so beautifully furnished that, for a moment, she forgot all about her problems.

"Oh my God! Look at these beautiful paintings. Are they for real? They look so real!" Hazel muttered to herself, completely mesmerized.

"Sit down. I will get you a cup of water," Zamiel said, interrupting her thoughts. Hazel nodded silently and took a seat.

A moment later, Zamiel returned with a glass of water, handing it to her as he sat down beside her. "Here, take this."

Hazel accepted the glass, took a small sip, and placed it back on the table.

"Are you okay?" Zamiel asked again, his voice calm but concerned.

"Am I... am I okay?" Hazel's voice trembled. "You have the nerve to ask me if I am okay after all those terrible scenes? Oh, but you were not there—you would not understand!" Her voice cracked, and tears threatened to fall.

"I am sorry," Zamiel said softly.

"There is no need to apologize," Hazel replied bitterly. "It is okay not to be okay, right? So, it is fine."

Zamiel paused, looking thoughtful, before asking carefully, "But how did everything start at school? Did you really go to her room to take a painting?"

Hazel's expression darkened. She looked at Zamiel sharply and said, "Do not tell me you also do not believe me. All humans are the same, including you!"

She stood up abruptly and headed toward the door. "I am leaving. Everyone is the same."

Before she could reach the door, Zamiel stood up quickly and grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

"Do not go, please," he said softly, his gaze fixed on her.

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