Ember's POV
I can't breathe.
Jason's words echo in my head as I sit frozen in the library. You have until Friday to decide. Take me back, or I destroy both of you.
Three days. I have three days to choose between my own future and Adrian's career.
My hands shake as I pack my laptop. I need to think. Need to figure out what to do.
But first, I need to tell Adrian.
I pull out my phone, then remember—I deleted his number. The clean break we agreed on.
There's only one way to reach him now.
His office.
I practically run across campus. The Humanities Building is nearly empty at eight PM. Most professors have gone home.
But Adrian's office light is on.
I knock before I lose my courage.
Come in.
He's sitting at his desk, surrounded by papers. When he sees me, he stands immediately.
Ember? What's wrong?
The door is still open. Anyone could walk by.
Close the door, I say quietly. Please
His jaw tightens, but he does it. This isn't appropriate
Jason knows.
Adrian goes completely still. What?
My ex-boyfriend. He transferred to Ashford. He was at The Edison that night. He saw us leave together. He saw us go to your hotel. The words tumble out in a rush. He's threatening to tell the administration unless I get back together with him.
The color drains from Adrian's face. When?
Tonight. In the library. He gave me until Friday.
Adrian sinks into his chair, running both hands through his hair. This is— He stops. Starts again. How much does he know?
Everything. He saw us kiss. Saw us leave. He knows you're my professor now. My voice cracks. Adrian, I'm so sorry. I never thought
This isn't your fault. His voice is sharp. None of this is your fault.
What do we do?
He's quiet for a long moment, thinking. We go to the administration first. Before he does. We explain that we met before the semester started, that neither of us knew who the other was, that we've maintained completely professional boundaries since.
Will they believe us?
I don't know. His eyes meet mine, and I see fear there. Real fear. But it's better than letting him control the narrative. Better than letting him blackmail you into a relationship you don't want.
But your job
Is not more important than your safety and happiness. He stands, moving closer. Ember, listen to me. I will not let you sacrifice yourself to protect my career. Do you understand?
Tears blur my vision. I can't let you lose everything because of one night.
It wasn't just one night. The words are quiet but intense. It was the best night of my life. And if the cost of that is my job, then
A knock on the door interrupts him.
We both freeze.
Adrian steps back quickly, putting distance between us. Come in.
The door opens.
A woman walks in, ate thirties, expensive suit, sharp eyes that take in everything.
Professor Blackwell, she says smoothly. I'm Dean Patricia Morrison. I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need to talk. Now.
My stomach drops.
Dean Morrison's gaze shifts to me. Miss Hayes. How convenient that you're both here.
Oh God. Jason already told them.
Dean Morrison, Adrian says carefully, if this is about—
Your relationship with a student? Yes. She closes the door behind her. I received an anonymous tip this evening about an inappropriate relationship between you and Miss Hayes. Normally, we'd investigate before acting, but the tipster provided rather compelling evidence.
She pulls out her phone and shows us a photo.
It's Adrian and me. At The Edison. His hand on my face. About to kiss.
The timestamp shows the date—two weeks before the semester started.
The tipster claims you've been involved since before classes began, Dean Morrison continues. That you knew each other intimately before Miss Hayes became your student.
That's true, Adrian says immediately. We did meet before the semester. But—
Professor Blackwell, I'm going to stop you there. Dean Morrison's voice is ice. Anything you say can and will be part of the official investigation. I suggest you contact a lawyer before making any statements.
An investigation? I whisper.
Standard procedure when allegations of this nature are made. She looks between us. Professor Blackwell, you're suspended effective immediately pending the outcome. Miss Hayes, you're required to transfer out of his class and meet with the ethics board tomorrow at nine AM.
This isn't what it looks like, I say desperately. We met by chance. Neither of us knew—
Save it for the ethics board. Dean Morrison opens the door. Professor Blackwell, please collect your personal items and leave campus. Miss Hayes, go back to your dorm. Do not contact each other under any circumstances. Is that clear?
Adrian's fists clench. Crystal.
Good. The board will be in touch with both of you. She looks at me with something that might be pity. I suggest you prepare yourself, Miss Hayes. These hearings can get... uncomfortable.
She leaves, the door closing with a soft click.
Adrian and I stare at each other.
I'm so sorry, I whisper. I should have
Don't. He crosses to me quickly, his hands framing my face. Don't apologize. Don't blame yourself. This is not your fault.
But your job
Can be replaced. You can't be. His thumb brushes away a tear I didn't know had fallen. I meant what I said, Ember. You were worth it. All of it.
Adrian
A camera flash goes off.
We both spin toward the window.
Someone is outside, phone pressed against the glass.
They got a photo. Of Adrian touching me. In his office. After we were explicitly told not to contact each other.
The person runs.
No, Adrian breathes. No, no, no
My phone buzzes. A text from Jason.
Told you I'd destroy both of you. Should have said yes, Ember. Now it's too late.
A second text comes through—a photo. The one just taken of Adrian and me.
This goes to the board tomorrow unless you're my girlfriend by midnight. Your choice. Save him or lose him. Clock's ticking.
I show Adrian the texts.
His face goes white. That was Jason. Outside the window.
He set this up. The Dean, the suspension, everything. To trap us. My hands shake. He knew we'd try to talk. Knew we'd be together.
And now he has evidence that we violated direct orders from the administration. Adrian steps back, horror on his face. Ember, this could get you expelled. Not just me fired—you expelled.
What do I do?
He looks at me with anguish. You say yes. You become his girlfriend. You save your education.
And let you lose everything?
Better me than both of us.
No. The word comes out fierce. No, I'm not doing that. There has to be another way.
There isn't. His voice breaks. Ember, please. Let me protect you. Let me—
My phone rings.
Jason.
I answer on speaker.
Tick tock, Ember, he says cheerfully. What's it going to be? Say yes to me, or say goodbye to your professor and your scholarship. Midnight deadline. Don't be late.
He hangs up.
Adrian and I stare at each other.
I have four hours to decide.
Become Jason's girlfriend and save Adrian's career.
Or refuse and watch both our futures burn.
Either way, I lose.
But there's a third option forming in my mind.
A dangerous, reckless option that might destroy us faster.
Or might be the only way to save us both.