Page 135 of When Hearts Collide

“I’ve looked at this so-called proof before and the photos are so blurry, they may or may not be of him carrying a brunette. We did dance together at The Orchid, but like I said, our families run in the same circles.”

He narrows his eyes at me and I hope he doesn’t call me out on my evasion.

I forge on. “We’ve done nothing wrong and impacted no one. Forgive me for being rude, but these last two weeks have been extremely stressful for me, but I am not admitting to any wrongdoing.”

“So, you are saying there’s nothing untoward between the two of you?”

I stand up and look him straight in the eyes. “I’m saying there’s nothing inappropriate in terms of the guidance I’ve received in class, nor has there been any preferential treatment.”

“How do you know that? How can you guarantee that not to be the case?”

Heat rises to my face and I lean forward, a courage I didn’t know I had coursing through me. “My grades speak for themselves, Dean Emery. You can review my academic performance before his class. They are all stellar because I’ve worked my ass off to achieve them. So no, there has been no preferential treatment, and my successes are my own.”

Dean Emery remains silent, his face pensive.

My blood boils in my veins, and the next words pour out of my mouth. “The university would be making a big mistake by punishing Professor Ryland for any alleged relationship.”

Tilting my chin up, I stare at the man who has the ability to crush the dreams of the man I love.

And I can’t let him do that.

I will protect his dreams.

“The Andersons are an influential family and are known for their philanthropy and charitable donations, especially in their funding toward educational institutions.” I hold his stare and his eyes widen at what I’m not saying aloud.

“Any family that famous is bound to have unsubstantiated rumors from the press every now and then. Professor Anderson is an excellent businessman and an even more brilliant professor. Please tell the Ethics Committee that. I like to think they’ll make the right decision.”

A knowing glint appears in the dean’s eyes, and his lips twitch. “So, you are saying, Ms. Callahan, you deny all the allegations.”

“Nothing untoward has happened in his role and guidance as my professor. He’s an excellent professor, and if you don’t believe me, you can poll the class or check out his ratings on the Rate My Professor websites. I have nothing further to add.”

Dean Emery contemplates my answers, and the room is silent except for the sounds of my breathing and the ticking of my watch, but I force myself to remain still.

“You’re in love with him,” he murmurs. This is a statement, not a question.

My eyes burn as tears threaten to break free. A lump forms in my throat.

“He doesn’t love me back.” I let out a shaky sigh. “And that’s what matters.”

Because if he loves me, he wouldn’t be doing this to me. He wouldn’t be leaving me to deal with everything alone.

But I’m a fighter, and I’ll fight for him, even if he doesn’t deserve me.

“Very well, Ms. Callahan. You may go now.”

Adrian buries his face into his hands, his fingers tugging his thick dark hair as Emily, his wife, and Steven’s older sister, comes back from the kitchen with a tray of hot tea. We’re in Dad’s apartment on the outskirts of the city for a long overdue family meeting.

Emily smiles and mouths, “You got this,” before retreating to the kitchen, no doubt to give us some privacy.

“God, I’m such a colossal failure,” Adrian groans into his palms. “How the fuck did I miss all of this? I thought you were stressed because of school because I know how hard you push yourself to get the best grades possible.”

He lifts his head and stares at me with those startling sky-blue eyes of his. “And the entire time you were out here, dealing with this all by yourself? Falling in love, getting your heart broken by that bastard,” he seethes, his eyes flashing in anger. “I’m going to break every fucking bone in his body.”

“Adrian, no, that’s not what happened. I told you before, if anything, I was the one who pursued him.”

“He should’ve said no! He’s my age! He should’ve known better!” Adrian stands up, his jaw clenching. “Why didn’t you tell me, Millie? Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“I knew what we were doing was wrong…so I kept it a secret,” I whisper.

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