Charles only nodded, still fuming silently. Edward picked up his notebook and started copying the lecture notes.
Aclaric watched him for a moment before speaking again. "Those guys were awful. I can't believe they said that to you."
"Yeah," Charles muttered, his voice tense. "I'm still angry."
Edward gave a faint smile and said calmly, "I'll deal with it now. I'm done with staying quiet."
Charles turned to him, shocked. "What?!"
Edward met his gaze with a steady expression. "If we want to live a life, we have to stop letting the past define us."
Charles looked at him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Yeah… you're right."
Aclaric placed a hand on Edward's shoulder. "I'll talk to my mother, Helena. Maybe she can help you both."
"Thank you," Edward said sincerely.
Aclaric smiled. "It's okay. You're helping me with my brother Noah through your sister, so we're even."
Edward laughed. "True. Anyway, it's lunchtime. Let's go."
