Page 123 of When Hearts Collide

“You know, if I never took risks in my life, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am right now,” Elias replies. “I’d still be in the slums, running weapons for lowlifes. Maybe I’d be dead.”

He stands up and clasps a hand on my shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “Think about it, Ryland.”

Like a phantom breeze, he slips out the door as my phone vibrates.

Steven

Tread carefully. Adrian called me, asking about the rumors between you and Millie. He’s protective of his sister.

My fingers type out a quick response.

Ryland

Thanks. Inaction is the best action right now. If Adrian brings it up with me the next time we talk, I’ll tell him the truth. I’d want the same if this were Lana.

Steven

Understood. I don’t want him to jump to conclusions anyway and Millie hasn’t told him anything. I’ll run interference for you guys but be careful. I care about you both and don’t want to see you guys as victims of unfortunate circumstances.

There comes a time when you encounter a fork in the road, and you know your next decision will have lasting impacts.

I’m at the fork now.

My phone vibrates again. This time, it’s an email from the dean lighting up the screen.

Ryland,

The research the JEAP committee has conducted on the Professor Archer case has been very thorough. The Ethics Committee is impressed with your work. You make a compelling argument against disciplining Professor Archer and Tammy Simmons based on the evidence so far, but the optics aren’t good. Several conservative members of the Committee are still concerned about the clandestine nature of the alleged sexual affair, even if the evidence leans toward no favoritism. While they recognize your viewpoints, there are significant reservations about the JEAP recommendation.

The Committee will reconvene in a month but continue to send information our way.

Your honorary doctorate also looks promising.

I know I didn’t hire the wrong person.

Regards,

Jacob

My tie feels more and more like a noose around my neck as I reread the email. A sticky heat travels up my spine, landing on top of my chest.

I’ve been in the business circuit for a long time—politics, optics, they are all the same whether it’s in Fortune 500 companies or in large universities. Everyone is in it for themselves. Selfishness, cover-your-ass actions always win.

The Ethics Committee will side against Professor Archer and Tammy. I’d bet my net worth on it. He’s a younger professor, hasn’t earned his stripes yet to be irreplaceable by the university. He’ll lose his career, his reputation will be tarnished, and his prospects to teach in the future will be dismal because others will treat him as a predator.

As for Tammy, her reputation as a student who has slept her way to the top will precede her. When people run background checks on her in the future, this black mark will come up first, even before people review her work and contributions. Opportunities will be lost. Admissions to graduate school will be rejected or rescinded.

That’s how the world works.

It’s all about optics. No one really cares about the truth.

No amount of wishful thinking will change that fact.

Visions of Millie float to the forefront—her soft smiles, her intoxicating kisses, the way our bodies move together as one, and how I’ve never felt freer than when I’m with her.

My beautiful lark who has just learned how to fly. She has so much to give, many more beautiful songs to sing.

She hasn’t seen the world yet or felt the wind beneath her wings.

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