Chapter 210

Audrey

“Audrey! Wait!”

Edwin’s voice echoed down the bond, but I didn’t-couldn’t-stop. I needed air, needed to breathe.

My feet carried me forward, tears blurring my vision as I pushed past startled students and faculty. Finally, I came to a door leading outside, and the cool morning air hit me like a brick wall. It was all I could do to stagger off to the side and breathe deeply, my lungs struggling to take it all in.

Mr. Black had sabotaged me yet again… But why? Was he still trying to get back at me for what had happened last year, or was this something else?

Suddenly, Edwin burst out into the courtyard after me and grabbed my wrist before I could slip away again.

“Audrey-”

“I don’t want to talk,” I choked out around the lump in my throat. “Just leave me.”

Edwin frowned, his grip tightening on my wrist. “No. Tell me what happened.”

I turned to face him, my chest heaving with sobs I could no longer contain. Despite the warm, sunny spring morning, my body felt chilled to the bone.

“There will be no celebratory date tonight,” I managed bitterly. “I… I failed my presentation. I have to repeat my last semester.”

Edwin’s gray eyes widened in disbelief. “What? How is that possible? Your work is always incredible.”

Through my tears, I recounted what had happened with Mr. Black, the doctored photos, and the other judges’ reactions. Edwin’s expression darkened with each word, his jaw clenching in anger. I could feel his fury through our bond, his need for

Justice

“This is ridiculous,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “I’m going to go talk to them right now. They’ll change their minds once I explain what’s really going on. That bastard is clearly up to something, and I won’t let him get away with it.”

But as Edwin turned on his heel to storm back to the presentation room, I grabbed his arm, feeling the muscles tense under my touch.

exclaimed, my voice louder than I intended. A few passing students turned to look, and I lowered my voice, feeling fresh heat rise to my cheeks. “No. You promised

his eyes searching my face. “But Audrey, this isn’t fair. I can’t just stand by and watch

my tears with the back of my hand. “What sort of reputation will that give me? People know enough about our history as it is, and word will get out. I’ll be seen as the girl who only ever got anywhere in life thanks to her man, not her

nodded, although I could see the reluctance in his eyes. “If that’s what you want, very well,” he said, his voice tight. “But if they don’t listen to you, I’m

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Chapter 210

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Or the next day, or… I don’t know. But I can’t go back there right now.” I shivered at the memory of Judge

moment he thought I was grabbing his wrist for

you on that date, at least.

heavy, my knees trembling slightly. “I hope you understand if

what are you

under a blanket and hiding from the rest of the world,” I

do that if you want, but can we at

for so long, suddenly stirred. “Please,” she

too. “Okay,” I relented. “We can go

face as he took my hand, leading me away from the building. The drive to his apartment was quiet, the silence broken

through the door, a wave of nostalgia hit me. Everything was exactly as I remembered it, from the soft throw pillows on

a bit of tension bleed away

of my stuff here anymore, I realized out loud, suddenly feeling

bedroom, returning a moment later with one of his shirts. “Here,” he said, handing it to me. “You

from him. Without thinking, I began to undress right there in the living room. It wasn’t until I had. my blouse hat a mix of desire

I was doing. I looked up to see Edwin’s eyes roaming over

I felt a flicker of something-a spark of passion that I sorely missed, sorely needed. It would be so easy to run to him right now, to fall into bed with his arms around me and let him take me into

heartbroken to feel

I slipped on his shirt, the fabric soft against my skin and smelling of him. I then curled up on

me, his hand gently stroking my hair. “I’ll be back soon, okay? I just need

too exhausted to even speak. As the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath, trying to hold back

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