Page 120 of The Love Syllabus

My throat tightens.

I twist in his arms just enough to see his face, which is so full of love and so open that it guts me.

“I love our life.” I whisper, touching his cheek.

He pulls me tighter, pressing his forehead to mine.

“And I love you.”

This is so much more than a family vacation.Thisis a glimpse of forever.

Chapter 31

Syllabus Complete – Kerry

Ms. Kerry Kind,

We are deeply saddened to learn that the Beverly Mills-Greer Board of Education was compromised by both illegal and unethical leadership practices under former Superintendent Cory Martin. We want to assure all of our teachers, administrators, staff, parents, students, and residents that we are taking swift action to rectify the damage that has been caused to our town.

We understand that many of the city’s beloved teachers were unjustly laid off—collateral damage that allowed a few bad apples to line their pockets with bribes. Not only have we launched an internal investigation into the qualifications and performance of the teachers that were hired, but if interested, we are reinstating every educator who was let go and giving them a 15% pay increase.

We would be honored to have you back in our school, nurturing and educating young minds. Please let us know if you’re interested. We would love to discuss your future in more depth.

Regards,

Interim Superintendent

Iread the email over and over again, absorbing every word. I’m not surprised, especially after the corruption’s been revealed on national television. Greer is officially on the map! Every booming city needs a scandal, and Cory delivered!

Cory Martin’s power is finally gone, stripped away piece by piece until there’s nothing left but the truth. The truth he spent years trying to bury. The truth that reveals who he really is – a monster.

Seven counts of aggravated assault. Attempted murder. Obstruction. Bribery. Harassment. Needless to say, he waived his right to trial and pleaded guilty. There were just too many charges to fight, all carrying the weight of years behind bars.

At sentencing, he looked like hell. Like he’d already been getting a taste of his own medicine—limping, face bruised, lip swollen.

Serves him right.

I still remember the moment I stood in that courtroom. Every eye was on me as I gave my impact statement.

My palms were sweating, but I didn’t flinch. I looked that man dead in the eye and said,“You kept me quiet. Trapped in a life that nearly killed me. But you didn’t break me. You couldn’t. I clawed my way out, and now you’ll be rotting in a cage while I’ll be living free.”

He’s gone for a long time. And for once, justice feels real.

The town’s cleaning house, and his family’s next.

“Is everything okay?” Krista asks, pulling me from my thoughts as we sit in the car.

I blink, rereading the email, then let out a stunned laugh.“Oh, sorry… I uh…I think I just got my job back.”

Krista’s face lights up, and she hugs me tight. “That’s amazing! When I first moved here, everyone raved about how incredible a teacher you were. I’m so glad your life is falling back into place. I hope mine does, too.”

“It will.” I gently squeeze her hand. “You have an entire group of friends and family cheering you on now. You may not get back what you had, but I promise, you’ll get more than what you ever imagined.” I wink.

Together, we walk into my therapist, Dr. Watkins’, office.

Once inside, I introduce them. “Krista, when I was at my lowest, after I was arrested and grieving, the hurt just kept coming. I was court-ordered to take anger management or face jail time. I was sent to Dr. Watkins, and after just one session, he told me I wasn’t someone who needed anger management. He said I was just someone who needed to be seen, heard, and believed in.”

Krista listens intently as I continue. “Even when I lost my job, my insurance, and my faith in everything, I still had Dr. Watkins. And that made all the difference. He always believed I’d get to this point. He believed I’d soarpastthis point. Now, I believe it, too. I believe in myself now. So, you’re in good hands.”

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