The sun was warm, but I felt cold as I stepped out of the car. Jacob stood by the school doors, his teacher beside him, her smile forced. Jacob didn’t look at me when he got in the car, his silence thick with unease.

Ms. Emily pulled me aside. “Jacob had some challenges today—struggled with the material and had a few incidents with other students.”

I tried to brush it off, but something felt off. In the car, Jacob whispered, “It was scary. No one talked to me.” My heart ached. “I wish we could go back,” he added. “I miss my old friends.”

The next day, I got a call: “Jacob’s involved in a serious incident. You need to come immediately.” I rushed to school, only to be stopped by Mark, my ex. “I’m seeing someone who works here,” he said.

Inside, the principal accused Jacob of altering a test, but Jacob suddenly burst out, “She told me to do it!” Emily snapped at him. I stood up. “Don’t talk to my son like that.”

Mark entered, confused. “Emily?” I asked. “She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she?”

The truth came out, and the principal dismissed Emily immediately. I hugged Jacob tightly. “I’ll always believe you.”

Outside, the sun was warm, and Jacob’s hand in mine felt steady. We were going to be okay.