Chapter 129 Audrey

The early autumn sun was still hanging low in the sky, a light mist blanketing the campus as I strode into the lecture hall, inhaling the crisp scent of new paper. This morning, I was attending my first class as a senior. It felt surreal, to know that within the span of less than a year, I would no longer be a student at Grayspring.

The classroom was already buzzing with chatter, students catching up after the summer break As I made my way to an empty seat, I noticed several students glancing my way and whispering. My heart sank. Were they already gossiping about me? Maybe Linda had spread some nasty rumors before she left.

Speaking of Linda... She wasn't here, thankfully. From what I understood, her parents had gotten word of her termination from Brooks Designs and had finally had enough. They had sent her to a strict boarding school-more like a boot camp, really-overseas, finally cutting her off from the family money until she learned her lesson.

Good. Grayspring felt lighter without her here, even if she had spread some rumors before her departure.

I dropped my bag on my desk and slid into my seat, trying to ignore the murmurs. Digging through my bag, I pulled out my notebook-a fresh, clean leather bound notebook to start off the new year. It was a gift from my friends as congratulations for the fashion show, who had pooled their money together to buy it.

But then I caught a snippet of conversation from the girl next to me.

That's her, isn't it? The one who had a piece at Paris Fashion Week?"

"Yeah, I saw it online. It was amazing!"

I felt my cheeks flush, a warmth spreading through my chest. So they weren't talking badly about me at all-they were... impressed by my work.

Noticing me staring, the girl next to me turned. "Hey, you're Audrey Thatcher, right? I loved your design from Paris Fashion Week."

"Oh, um, thanks," I stammered, still caught off guard by the praise. "I'm glad you liked it."

Even though thinking about Paris made my heart ache-memories of Edwin and his note still too fresh for comfort-I was glad I had participated in that fashion show. And hearing that my fellow students were rooting for me... well, it felt pretty great.

I returned my attention to my notebook, ready for class to start. But as the minutes passed, there professor.

"Where's Professor Jameson?" someone muttered behind me.

e was no sign of our

"Dunno. Maybe we'll get lucky and class will be canceled," another student joked.

Suddenly, the door banged open, making half the class jump. My heart nearly stopped as Edwin strode in, looking as handsome and imposing as ever in a crisp white shirt and dark slacks. His presence filled the room instantly, commanding

attention.

"Good morning, class," he said, and the sound of his voice after everything felt like a knife in my gut. "Professor Jameson is on unexpected leave. I'll be filling in for today's session."

the professors who could have substituted, it had to be

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Wed, Sep 18

Chapter 129

for the amazing

hadn't even

9

they landed on me for a brief moment. I could have sworn

my lip, squirming slightly in my

69%

+5

couldn't help but react to his presence. I almost felt as if I could smell

Bae scent of it curling through my

limp like

"Dette.

night together flooded my mind.

on me again,

had to force myself to snap

just a man who had left me with

run

way several times. Each time,

history of fashion design in East Europe, was both soothing and maddening. I couldn't decide if my urges to vault over the desks and go to him were

class finally ended, I had had enough. I wasn't the same girl I had been when we had met-I wasn't going to be cowed anymore by his presence.

it.

desk. My palms were sweaty, and I wiped them discreetly

I neared, his eyes darting to the last few students leaving

he started, his voice low

texted?" I blurted out, cutting him off. The words tumbled out before I could stop them, all the hurt

on his face. For a moment, he looked almost vulnerable. But then he said, "How can I call or text you when you still

face heat up with embarrassment. Oh. Right. I had blocked him

feeling foolish. "But you still could have

before you

of his mouth turning up slightly. "I had to rush out that morning because there was an emergency," he explained, his voice gentler now. "You looked so peaceful

fluttered

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