Page 208 of Teacher's Pet

"What happened?" my father asks, his voice rough with concern. He barely spares a glance at how close Noah and I are, his focus locked entirely on me.

Does he know?

I inhale deeply, bracing myself. "Cole… he did some messed-up things in high school," I admit, the words heavy on my tongue. "And Walker, he knew. He used it against him, exploited it."

Noah nods in quiet agreement, staying silent, keeping Jake’s name out of it.

My father’s jaw tightens. "Why didn’t you tell me? That they were blackmailing you-"

"You were sick, Dad," I whisper, my throat tightening. "I could barely process it myself, and the last thing I wanted to do was make you worry."

My father sucks in a sharp breath, his face crumpling. "Worry about you?" he gasps, his voice raw. "That’s all a father does." His breath shudders, his eyes glistening. "But…" He swallows hard, then shifts his gaze to Noah. "It seems like you had someone in your corner this whole time."

A small, knowing smile tugs at my lips. I glance at Noah just as my dad squeezes my hand.

"Noah!" Roman’s voice cuts through the moment. "Get over here, I need something."

Noah gives my back a gentle rub before stepping away. "I’ll be right back," he murmurs before turning to my dad. "Mr. Burns." He offers his hand.

My father accepts the handshake, his grip firm. They exchange a silent nod before Noah excuses himself, disappearing toward Roman.

I wait until he’s out of earshot, my pulse steady but my mind racing.

"You know?" I whisper, searching my father’s face.

His lips twitch into a small smile as he lifts his shoulders in an easy shrug.

"I have eyes," he says simply.

"How long?" I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

My father exhales, running a hand over his face. "Pretty much since the first time I saw you two interact," he admits.

"Are you angry with me?" I prod, searching his face for any trace of resentment.

He hesitates, then looks me dead in the eyes. "Ana, can I tell you something? Something you cannot repeat to anyone...not even Noah?"

I press my lips together and nod, waiting.

His gaze flickers, his expression unreadable. "There’s a reason I’m standing here right now. Alive."

A chill runs down my spine. "Okay…" I trail off, glancing toward Roman and Noah, who are deep in conversation as law enforcement starts to clear out.

My father swallows hard. "I told your mother the money for my treatment came from an inheritance my father left behind."

"But?" I press, my pulse quickening.

He exhales sharply. "That wasn’t true," he confesses. "A man came to me in the hospital. Said all my affairs would be handled. Anonymously, all my debts were paid. The doctors were fired and replaced with some of the best cancer specialists in the country." He pauses, his hands trembling at his sides. "At the time I was too sick to question it. Chemo had wrecked me, I could barely think straight. But tonight… when I saw Noah, I finally put it together. The reason his voice sounded so familiar."

I freeze.

My father grips my hand. "Noah was the man who came to my hospital room," he whispers. "He was the man who saved my life."

A stunned breath catches in my throat as I turn to look at Noah.

"W-when did this happen?" I ask, my voice unsteady.

"About two months ago-" my father starts, but his voice fades into the background.

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