The hospital waiting room smelled like antiseptic and stress. Isabel paced while Vanessa sat quietly, a butterfly bandage across her cheek. Adrian stood by the window, jaw tight, phone pressed to his ear.
"I want full surveillance at both her dorm and my building," he said into the phone. "This doesn't stop until Daniel is behind bars."
Isabel turned to Vanessa. "You sure you're okay?"
Vanessa nodded slowly. "He didn't get the last word. That's what matters."
Just then, Mrs. Harper entered, eyes wide. "I heard. Is she alright?"
"We're handling it," Adrian said.
She took a seat. "You won't have to much longer. Daniel's been arrested."
Isabel froze. "What?"
Harper smiled grimly. "Someone from the wellness center reported a strange man lurking around the parking lot. He matched the description perfectly. Police found weapons and threatening messages in his car. They have enough to hold him."
Vanessa let out a shaky breath. "So it's really over?"
Adrian shook his head. "This part is. But the healing—that takes time."
The news of Daniel's arrest spread like wildfire. Social media that once mocked Isabel now praised her courage. Adrian's reputation began to recover. The university board, under pressure, announced reforms on student safety and harassment policies.
A week later, Harper arranged a meeting with Isabel.
"I'd like to offer you a position," she said.
Isabel blinked. "A position?"
"Peer advocate. Helping students report misconduct. Building a program that supports voices like yours. You'd be paid. Trained. Respected."
Isabel's throat tightened. "You believe I can do that?"
"I know you can," Harper said. "Because you already have."
Meanwhile, Vanessa and Jude stood in front of an empty office space near the edge of campus. Dusty, small, but filled with potential.
Jude looked at her. "Still want to name it?"
She grinned. "Let's call it The Quiet Room. A place where people come to feel heard."
He nodded. "Perfect."
They got to work—sweeping, designing, fundraising. Students donated art. Professors offered support. Within a month, it became a hub for counseling, creativity, and conversation.
And in every corner, Vanessa saw pieces of herself rebuilding.
One evening, Adrian took Isabel to a quiet rooftop, strings of lights glowing above them. A small table, candles, soft jazz in the background.
She looked around. "What is this?"
He smiled. "A new beginning."
He knelt before her, pulling out a small velvet box.
Isabel gasped.
"I know we've walked through fire," he said. "And we may still have flames to face. But I want to walk through all of it with you. Will you marry me?"
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Adrian…"
"Yes."
He slipped the ring onto her finger, and in that moment, nothing else existed. No past. No pain. Just them.