Page 209 of Teacher's Pet

Even after everything.

The words he threw at me.

The act he played.

He was in my corner.

Helping my father survive.

Helping him live.

"That’s when I knew," my father’s voice filters back in, steady and sure, "that something deeper was happening."

I turn to him, my breath catching as he continues.

"That’s when I realized, and one glance was all it took to see what was between you and Noah. So, no, Ana," he whispers, his voice thick with meaning. "I’m not mad. If a love that strong is real, I won’t be the one to squander it."

"Noah is resigning-"

"I know," my dad says before I can finish. A small, knowing smile tugs at his lips. "I did the same when I knew I wanted your mother."

Stunned, I stare at him, searching his face for any trace of hesitation. There’s none.

"We’re ready to transport her, sir," an EMT says quietly, interrupting the moment.

My dad nods, already stepping back. "I’ll meet you at the hospital with your friends," he says, offering no clarity on his last statement.

Then he turns, waving Noah over. "They’re ready to take her."

Noah excuses himself from his conversation with Roman and strides over without hesitation.

"Sir?" he asks, glancing between me and my father. "Are you sure you don’t want to ride with her?"

My father exhales, his eyes settling on Noah with something softer than approval, something closer to trust.

"No," he says simply. "You’ve got her now."

And with that, he steps away, slipping into the car with the others, leaving me in Noah’s hands.

Noah helps me into the ambulance, settling beside me as the EMTs shut the doors.

"You have a lot of explaining to do," I murmur, eyeing him suspiciously. "Did you know my dad was my mom’s professor?"

Looking suddenly guilty, Noah tugs at his collar.

"Can you blame the man?" he smirks. "Burns women."

A breathless laugh slips from my lips despite myself. I shake my head, then curl my fingers into his shirt, pulling him closer.

"Come here, Ackerman," I whisper, grinning as I kiss him, straining against the rails of the gurney.

He meets me halfway, his lips slow, careful, like he’s memorizing the shape of me. My breath ghosts his skin, the warmth of him sinking into me.

"I love you," I whisper against his lips.

Noah smiles, his forehead pressing to mine. "I love you, Anastasia."

"Ma’am, you really shouldn’t-"

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