Page 178 of Teacher's Pet

And suddenly—everything makes sense.

Will nods, his expression thoughtful as he shrugs.

"Nothing happened between us until after she graduated," he admits. "Though… I can’t say there weren’t moments where my professionalism slipped. Where my love for her got the best of me."

His voice is calm and steady, but there’s something nostalgic in it.

"I resigned the moment I realized I was in love with her," he continues. "Only came back once she was gone. Our marriage happened pretty quickly after she graduated, and, man, I do not regret a single second of it."

I blink, trying to process. "Ana never said-"

Will chuckles. "She doesn’t know.

The words catch me off guard.

"But I think I’m telling you all of this because I need to know," he says, leveling me with a look. "Will you resign? Do you love my daughter enough to put this career on hold to be with her?"

There’s no hesitation.

I meet his gaze, my voice steady. "I already gave the dean my resignation letter this morning."

Will’s brows lift slightly, but he says nothing, letting me continue.

"I thought I was staying here to protect her," I admit. "But in reality, I was only hindering her college experience. Holding her back."

Will studies me for a moment before reaching out, clapping a firm hand on my shoulder. He gives it a squeeze.

"Does she know?"

I exhale. "I haven’t had the chance to tell her yet." I rub the back of my neck. "I just wanted her to have one good night. No drama, no fear, just peace."

Will smiles knowingly. "And that’s why you flew me and my wife out here."

It’s not a question. It’s a realization.

"For Ana."

I nod, releasing a quiet breath. "I have a feeling there won’t ever be another thing I do that isn’t for her."

And I mean it.

Every. Single. Word.

"Well then," Will chuckles. "I can spare you the ‘if you don’t resign, we have issues’ speech."

His lighthearted tone makes me exhale, just a little.

"But," he continues, "I did have one more question for you. My treatments… they were drowning us in debt, making it impossible to keep up with, but-"

Before he can finish, a familiar voice cuts through the conversation.

"Sorry to interrupt."

Roman’s deep timbre carries over the noise of the party, commanding attention. "Can I steal Noah here for a moment?"

Will glances at him, then over at his wife, deliberating. Finally, he nods, his smile easy. "We can pick this conversation up another time."

His eyes flick back to me, expression softer now. "Have a great night. Tell Ana her mother and I will be waiting for her."

---