Page 246 of Forbidden Lessons

“Nothing to be worried about, I’m sure. Just a formality. Could I give you my direct line, sweetie?”

“Sure, sure,” I mumble, my eyes squeezing shut as Nora starts reading out her phone number.

I don’t write it down.

Because my dad isn’t phoning anyone.

I push my fingers through the collar around my throat, tightening it until I can’t breathe.

“Okay, okay, thanks. I have to go.”

“Oh, sweetie, is Professor Rooke there? I need to speak to him.” Nora chuckles at what a silly little girl I am, forgetting that the reason she called was to talk to Bastian.

Silly, silly, girl.

“I’ve been trying to reach him on his cell for the past?—“

“Yeah, uh, he probably turned it off for the study group thing. He, uh...” I swallow, pull my fingers away from the collar, take a big breath. “He actually just popped out for a sec. I’ll give him the message.”

“Oh. Okay. Thank you?—”

I slam the phone down, tears pricking at my eyes.

Fuck.

My legs shake as I hurry over to the sliding door leading into Bastian’s back yard.

Fuck!

The rain hits me like a sluice gate opening, but I stand there and tip my head back and I bear it.

My past was bound to catch up with me.

I knew it would happen.

But, fuck, I somehow convinced myself that everything would be okay.

Silly,sillyfucking girl.

A hand slides around my throat, and until I reach up to touch it, I’m not sure it’s even real.

The world feels…odd.

I feel…different.

And not because I’m not a virgin anymore.

Everything’s wrong that should be right.

Everything’s broken that should have been whole.

I wait for whoever’s gripping my throat to speak. To command me. To comfort me.

But they say nothing.

Do nothing.

They just stand behind me, watching as my tears merge with the rain pounding down on my face.

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