Chapter 41: The Fight

The cafeteria buzzed with the familiar symphony of lunchtime chaos — the sharp scrape of chairs gliding across the floor, the jarring clatter of trays crashing onto tables, and the ever-present murmur of overlapping voices that danced off the cold, tiled walls. A rich medley of scents wafted through the air, thick with the greasy aroma of melting cheese, sizzling fries, and the faint hint of desserts. To most, it felt like just another midday respite, a brief interlude in a hectic day. But for Yuqi, this bustling atmosphere was the stage on which a carefully orchestrated deception played out, each sound and scent a part of her intricate act.

As she settled into her seat, a mix of excitement and nerves fluttered in her stomach, her fingers dancing a bit as she placed her tray down. Every part of her urged her to reconsider—she didn’t want to hurt Sapphire or let Kelly and the group think poorly of her. But deep down, she knew that for Carter to show who he truly was, this moment needed to be impactful and heartfelt.

Sapphire glided into her chair across the table, her demeanor poised and collected, each movement measured and graceful. She locked her gaze with Yuqi's, a glimmer of understanding passing between them as she allowed the faintest smile to touch her lips—a delicate curve so subtle that it would elude the notice of anyone else in the room. It was a silent cue, a subtle affirmation that conveyed her readiness, her unwavering determination shimmering just beneath the surface.

Yuqi inhaled sharply, her heart racing as she steadied herself against the wave of tension that coursed through her. With a sudden, emphatic motion, she slammed her tray onto the table, the deafening clatter reverberating off the walls and slicing through the din of chatter in the bustling cafeteria. Heads turned in unison, the abrupt shift in atmosphere drawing curious glances from students absorbed in their meals.

"You need more money?" she snapped, her voice slicing through the air with a precision that was both piercing and chilling. "Do you think I’m stupid, Sapphire?" The words dripped with icy contempt, lingering in the air like shards of glass.

Sapphire blinked, momentarily taken aback, her eyes betraying a fleeting flicker of hurt that was swiftly shrouded by a veil of fury. “What are you talking about? You've never had a problem before!” she snapped, her voice laced with disbelief and a sharp edge that cut through the air, reverberating with a mix of annoyance and confusion.

Yuqi abruptly propelled herself to her feet, the legs of her chair scraping harshly against the cold linoleum floor, the sound echoing in the tense air. She leaned forward, a fierce glare directed at her mate, her hands balling into tight fists, trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal at her sides. “It’s always more for you, isn’t it?” she spat, her voice laced with bitterness. “You’re only with me for the convenience of my company, for the success of my business. All the wealth and influence I can offer you — that’s what you crave. You don’t love me; you love what I own.”

The bustling cafeteria grew hushed in an instant, as if a spell had fallen over the crowd. Conversations flickered out abruptly, mid-sentence, leaving an unsettling stillness in their wake—a few sharp gasps sliced through the air, reverberating off the walls like a chilling echo. Forks laden with fries hung suspended, inches from parted lips, frozen in a moment of shock. Kelly's eyes widened in disbelief, her heart pounding as her jaw dropped in astonishment. She turned to her sister, desperation mixing with confusion in her gaze, searching for an explanation that seemed impossibly elusive.

“Did she really just say—?” a voice murmured from a nearby table, its incredulity barely contained.

“No way. She actually called Sapphire a gold-digger,” came a shocked reply, eyes widening in disbelief.

“Seriously? I thought they were, like… totally inseparable,” another chimed in, leaning in closer to catch every morsel of the unfolding drama.

“Guess not. Rich girls think they can just buy anyone they want,” someone scoffed, the disdain dripping from their words, as the tension in the air thickened around them.

Whispers quickly circulated through the crowd, each voice a mix of disbelief and eager curiosity. The air buzzed with tension as phones shot up like a chorus of mechanical eyes, their cameras aimed and focused, capturing every moment with relentless eagerness.

Sapphire sprang to her feet, the chair protesting with a drawn-out screech as it scraped against the wooden floor. Her voice trembled, each word tinged with a heartbreaking blend of fury and sorrow, piercing Yuqi like a blade thrust into his chest. “How dare you!” she shouted, her eyes blazing with indignation. “If you truly think I would stay with you solely for your money, then perhaps you never really knew me at all. Maybe you’re just not worth the love I poured into us!”

A collective gasp reverberated through the room, echoing off the walls like a shockwave. Students clasped their hands over their mouths, their eyes wide with disbelief, while others exchanged startled glances that spoke volumes. “Did you get that? Record it!” someone murmured urgently, raising a phone camera to capture the unfolding drama, the screen flickering to life as it focused on the intensity of the moment. At the doorway, a teacher stood frozen mid-step, her brow furrowed and her expression caught in a tumultuous battle between the urge to intervene and the instinct to remain a reluctant observer of what was clearly a deeply personal scene. The air was thick with anticipation, tension crackled like electricity, and the world outside faded into silence as all eyes turned toward the unfolding spectacle.

Yuqi's chest felt ablaze with a mix of anger and hurt, yet she managed to twist her lips into a mocking sneer, her eyes shimmering with intensity. With each word, she released the final line like a venomous dart, sharp and filled with disdain. “Fine. Then stay away from me!”

Her shoes clattered against the polished floor in a rhythmic crescendo, each echoing step a harsh reminder of her turmoil as she stormed out, distancing herself from Sapphire and sinking deeper into the heavy mire of her guilt. Tears streamed down her cheeks, warm and relentless, as this betrayal stung far more than she had anticipated. Though she recognized the façade of her own words, the sharpness of what she had said pierced her heart, leaving an ache that reverberated through her very soul.

With a swift motion, Sapphire grasped her tray and launched it into the trash can. The clattering sound echoed off the walls, causing several students to jump in surprise. She pivoted sharply on her heel, her posture rigid and defiant, chin held high as she strode away with a fierce intensity. The glimmer of tears shimmered on her cheeks, a silent testament to the turmoil she was enduring. She too couldn't stand the things they said to each other. She yearned to dash into Yuqi's warm embrace, longing for the solace that only their shared comforts could provide. The ache in her heart was almost unbearable, a deep throbbing that resonated with each passing moment, amplifying her desire to feel safe and cherished in his presence.

The cafeteria buzzed with a low hum of whispers, the air thick with intrigue as rumors began to swirl like wildfire before the doors had even finished closing behind them. Laughter and chatter faded into hushed tones, eyes darting from one table to another, each group eager to piece together the unfolding story.

“Did you catch a glimpse of her expression? She looks utterly devastated, as if the weight of the world has landed squarely on her shoulders.”

“Yuqi is absolutely merciless. I could hardly believe my ears when she boldly expressed that in front of everyone.”

"I'd wager anything that they have reached the end of the line."

Kelly sat immobile at the table, her mouth agape in a silent gasp, her face drained of color, reflecting a profound disbelief. Her fingers tightened into white-knuckled fists against the cool surface of the tabletop, as if she were trying to grasp the moment and pull it back, to rewind the unfolding reality that now felt so surreal. A cacophony of voices swirled around her — a mix of speculation, hushed gossip, and laughter that rang out like a cruel echo at the scene before her. Yet, amidst the chaos, all Kelly could focus on was her sister’s words, piercing and frigid, reverberating in her mind like an unrelenting refrain.

That night, the house was enveloped in an oppressive stillness, its very walls seemingly bracing themselves against some unspoken tension. The faint ticking of the kitchen clock resonated through the silence, each tick stretching out like an eternity, gnawing at Yuqi’s nerves. She sank heavily into a chair at the dining table, her posture slumped as if the weight of the world bore down on her. Her long hair cascaded forward, forming a dark veil that shielded her face from the outside world. Before her sat an untouched plate of food, its surface cool and uninviting, a silent testament to her turmoil that only intensified the heaviness in her chest.

Across the dimly lit room, Julia and Thomas lingered by the countertop, their expressions a tapestry of unease. The air between them was thick with unspoken words as they exchanged anxious glances, each one a reflection of the swirling thoughts in their minds. Julia absentmindedly twisted her wedding ring around her finger, the metal catching the soft light and momentarily glinting like a beacon of their shared anxiety. Meanwhile, Thomas rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers pressing into the tension that had built up there, a silent testament to the weight of his worries. Every subtle movement echoed the silent questions hanging in the air, amplifying the discomfort resting heavily on their shoulders.

Finally, Julia stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper, delicate and trembling like a leaf in the breeze. “Yuqi,” she said softly, her eyes filled with concern and compassion, “can you tell us what happened today? We overheard...”

Before Yuqi could find the words to respond, Kelly's voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a razor-sharp blade. She burst into the room, her complexion a ghostly white, fury radiating from her every movement. Her hands were clenched tightly into fists at her sides, trembling with pent-up emotion. “She attacked Sapphire right in the middle of the cafeteria!” Kelly exclaimed, her voice quivering with both anger and disbelief, each word spilling out in a rush as if the weight of them could scarcely be contained. “She claimed she only loved her because of her ridiculous business!” Her eyes ignited with a fierce fire as she turned her accusing gaze upon her sister, the air around them crackling with tension. “How could you say that, Yuqi? She loves you. Everyone knows it.”

Yuqi couldn’t lift her gaze, her eyes glued to the polished hardwood floor beneath her shoes, tracing the delicate, swirling grain as if it held the answers she sought. Each word Kelly threw at her felt like a jagged stone, striking with sharp precision and leaving her breathless. Yet, she clenched her jaw, forcing herself to maintain an unwavering facade, her voice flat and steely, despite the turmoil swirling inside her. “Drop it, Kelly!” she yelled, the words bursting forth like a dam breaking. “You don’t understand. I’m drowning in stress as it is. I can’t handle this with you right now.”

Kelly felt a lump in her throat, tears shimmering in her eyes like dew on a spring morning. For a fleeting moment, her expression softened, the raw hurt breaking through her fierce anger, a whisper of vulnerability flickering across her features. But just as quickly, the steel returned to her gaze, hardening her resolve. “No,” she breathed softly, her voice quivering with emotion, “I don’t. And neither will she, if you continue down this path. What you did to her was completely unforgivable. You’d better pray she finds it in her heart to forgive you.”

She pivoted sharply on her heel and ascended the staircase with furious strides, each footstep echoing like a drumbeat in the stillness of the house. The creaking wood beneath her feet added to the symphony of her anger, a sharp staccato that reverberated through the air. As she reached the top, the heavy door swung closed with a resounding thud, cutting off the noise like a sudden silence enveloping the world. The quiet that followed was not just still; it was suffocating, hanging in the air like a thick mist.

Julia pressed her trembling hand over her mouth, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, full of profound grief. “Yuqi…” she whispered, her voice trembling and cracking on her daughter's name, as if even saying it might break her further. She stepped closer, her heart aching, an almost desperate longing in her gaze. It was as though she yearned to reach out and wrap her arms around her daughter, yet hesitated, uncertain if that embrace would be welcomed or if the distance between them was now insurmountable.

Thomas exhaled slowly, the breath escaping his lips like a whispered secret. He dragged a weary hand down his face, trying to wipe away the frustration etched into his features. His jaw clenched tightly, though his voice remained steady and low, carrying an undercurrent of concern. “I don’t know what happened between you two, Yuqi, but… this isn’t you. This isn’t the girl we raised.” He pushed himself off the doorframe, his back straightening as he met her gaze, his eyes darkened with a mix of disappointment and worry that weighed heavily on his heart. “You can’t keep pushing everyone away.” The space between them felt charged, as if his words hung in the air, desperate for her to listen.

Yuqi kept her gaze averted, unable to meet their concerned eyes. A heavy ache blossomed in her chest, a crushing reminder of their unwavering love—a burden that felt more oppressive than any punishment she had ever received. Her mind raced with the urge to unveil the truth, to confess that everything spoken in the cafeteria had been a calculated charade. But instead, she remained enveloped in silence, her guilt simmering like a pot left too long on the stove.

"You don’t understand what it means to be a dragon," she finally said, her voice shaky yet filled with conviction. "Let alone the Queen of Dragons. My mother’s journals are filled with wisdom, yet they never breathed a word about my father. Queens are destined for solitude, a truth I have come to accept. Don’t presume you can dictate what is right or wrong for my life. I am not human; I am something much greater, yet burdened by expectations you cannot fathom."

Julia felt a deep ache in her heart, a sensation that was unfamiliar and piercing. Yuqi's harsh words hung in the air like a dark cloud, as if they had emerged from a stranger rather than her closest friend. It was as though a veil had descended, revealing a side of Yuqi that Julia had never encountered before. She steadied herself, taking a quiet breath to suppress the rising tide of tears. In an effort to bridge the chasm that now separated them, she spoke in a soft, soothing voice, “Whatever this is, sweetheart, please… don’t let it destroy you.” Fear laced her words, a blend of desperation and hope, as she reached out for the girl she once knew.

Yuqi swallowed hard, fighting to keep her composure, and said nothing. Then she ran up to her room and slammed her door shut.

Thomas wrapped his arms around Julia, pulling her close in a moment of shared concern. "Something terrible must have transpired for her to react this way," he murmured, his voice thick with empathy. "I understand that this anger isn't her true nature, but she does have a point. We are completely in the dark about what it truly means for her to bear the weight of being the Queen of Dragons."