The Villain We Loved - CHAPTER 9: Bruises of Marian

293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpFyBlLJeh

It started with a whisper.

“Si Ruthie daw.”

The phrase slid through hallways like a snake.

By lunch break, it had fangs.

Marian Soler entered Room 2-B trembling. Her arm tucked protectively over her side, jacket zipped up despite the heat.

She walked slowly, dramatically—just slow enough for everyone to notice the faint purple bruise peeking near her wrist.

“Ano 'yan, Marian?” someone asked.

She bit her lip.

Lowered her head.

Then whispered it like a confession:

“Si Ruthie…”

Gasps followed.

And the silence that came next was louder than truth.

Ruthie didn’t know until two classes later.

She walked into the library and felt the shift.

Heads turned.

Eyes narrowed.

She felt it on her skin—the weight of unspoken judgment.

Jay looked up from a table.

“You heard?” he asked.

“Heard what?” she replied, already annoyed.

“They’re saying you hit Marian.”

Ruthie blinked, once.

Twice.

Then laughed.

But it wasn’t funny.

“Of course they are.”

“Did you?” he asked quietly.

“No,” she said sharply. “I don’t need to touch her to hurt her.”

Jay didn’t smile.

Didn’t flinch.

He just looked at her for a long time.

“Then who did?”

She paused.

Something flickered in her eyes.

But she said nothing.

Flashback: The Night Before

Ruthie saw Marian behind the gym—talking to someone she shouldn’t be.

Not a student.

Not a teacher.

Just… a man. Much older. Angry.

Ruthie stayed hidden.

She didn’t plan to intervene.

She just watched.

Until she saw the man grab Marian’s wrist.

Until she heard the slap.

Then the scream.

But Ruthie didn’t move.

She turned.

And walked away.

Now, the bruise was her blame.

Convenient.

Powerful.

Another piece in the narrative they all believed:293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghvhZb2hUR
Ruthie Villanueva—Queen of Spite, Bringer of Pain.

By dismissal, Ruthie’s name was trending in a schoolwide group chat.

#RuthieTheBully293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwbN2mpxey
#ProtectMarian293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01v5w3JflW
#ExpelHer

Screenshots flew.

Memes were made.

Someone even edited her face onto a witch burning at the stake.

And still, she said nothing.

Not to Marian.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGjGckXNoB
Not to the teachers.293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuuZ1PtSzD
Not even to Jay.

Until Joy cornered her near the lockers.

“Anong pakiramdam? Na sa wakas, ikaw naman ang pinaniniwalaan?”

Ruthie looked at her.

“You really think I hurt Marian?”

Joy shrugged.

“I think you like hurting people. That’s enough.”

“You mean like how you hurt yourself just to make people notice?”

Joy paled.

Ruthie smirked.

“Yeah. I see things too.”

Later that night, she stared at her phone screen.

A message from an unknown number had arrived hours ago.

“Keep your mouth shut. Or next time, it’s your turn.”

Attached was a photo.

Of her.

Walking away from the gym.

From Marian.

She didn’t sleep.

Didn’t cry.

Just laid in the dark, silent.

And angry.

ns216.73.217.22da2

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