Page 23

When I finally left to come to Greenhill, it was like going into witness protection. I had to leave everything behind, delete all my social media, and just pack up and leave in one day. I’m still amazed she managed to find me. But I guess these days, privacy is a thing of the past.

“Robert, everything she says is a lie,” I say, getting up from my chair. “I never had a relationship with her, and that child is not mine.”

“And I believe you,” he replies. But does he really? “I’m just asking that you take some time to get this sorted out, then you can come back to teaching.”

My hands clench into fists at my sides. We both know what he’s saying. He’s not really asking me just to take a leave of absence. He’s setting me up to be let go from my position. Permanently. Robert doesn’t want a single bit of scandal related to Greenhill, and even if I somehow sorted things out with Karen and came back in a few months, that scandal would carry over with me. I’d forever be known as the professor who had a child with his student, even if it’s not true.

“Robert—”

A loud bang comes from the office door, nearly causing Robert to jump out of his pants. Somebody’s knocking like their life depends on it.

“Professor Durand!”

“Clark!”

I don’t recognize the first voice, but I recognize the second.

“Maisy!”

Rushing past Robert, I open the door to find her standing there panting like she’s just run all the way here. There’s a girl beside her I don’t recognize, but she looks just as excited as Maisy.

“What are you doing here?” I ask. It’s the only thing I can say, even though I’m lit up inside to see her. I’ve got to keep it together right now, though, with Robert in the room. It can’t look good being affectionate with one of my current students while denying a relationship with a past student.

Maisy looks like she’s about to hurl herself into my arms, but then her eyes flick to Robert, and she stops herself. Christ, she’s like a beam of light in my life. Suddenly everything feels like it’s going to be okay, and I don’t even know what’s going on.

“Miss Turner,” I reply, keeping it as professional as I can in front of the dean. “Did you have a question related to class—?”

“No!” she blurts out, grabbing her friend’s phone and shoving it into my face. “We came to show you this.”

My eyes slowly scan a series of text messages, along with some old photos of Karen I’ve never seen before.

“Girls, what is all this?” Robert asks, clearly confused.

“Mister…dean,” Maisy stumbles. “This is my friend, Sasha. She has evidence showing that Karen is lying about Clark—Professor Durand.”

“Evidence?” he asks.

My jaw drops. It’s all here. Texts from Sasha to another girl, Marlee, confirming everything that happened two years ago. Screenshots of texts from Karen to Marlee, talking about her obsession with me, stalker-esque photos of me taken from afar, and even photos of Karen in the hospital after giving birth with a man standing beside her, clearly the real father.

My eyes lock on Sasha’s. “Where did you get this?!”

“My friend was friends with Karen,” she replies to the whole room. “I recognized her name and texted her. She got back to me with all this.”

I’m stunned. It’s been two years that I’ve been living with all that drama hanging over my head, just waiting for it to come back and bite me in the ass. And now I finally have what I need. Evidence I can show that will clear my name and reputation.

Slowly, I pass the phone to Robert. “Do you believe me now?”

My eyes remain glued to Maisy. All I want to do is wrap her up in my arms and envelop her lips with mine. I want to throw her down on that couch and make love to her. She isn’t just gorgeous; she’s proactive and willing to act on my behalf. Lots of girls would have seen what happened last night and just lost all faith in me. But not Maisy.

I love you, baby, I mouth to her, a fire of emotions boiling up inside of me.

Her eyes are starting to well up with tears. I love you too, she mouths back.

Beside me, Robert nods and taps the phone happily. “We should take this to the police right away.”

“Damn right,” I chuckle. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to continue teaching.”

Robert smiles. “Once we verify this, I don’t see why you couldn’t return to class.”