Stanle

The very next day, I was su

ight through you. Jace was sitting in the chair opposite her desk, looking calm and composed, as if he

Robertson has brought some... concerning information to my

Dean, my admission was based on my academic record and my tuition is paid in

legally binding contract between two of the most powerful families in the state

. "A life I am finally choosing for myself. And for the record, the contract w

ed, and a flicker of raw anger crossed his face. "That was a trick

oved while you were engaged to me? She was never meant to be the one you saved whi

silent, hi

ily' s contributions to this university are greatly appreciated, we do not get involved in the domestic disputes of our students. Ms.

ace threatened, his voice dro

to report: 'Billionaire Heir Jace Robertson Attempts to Expel Ex-Fiancée from University After

r rendered useless by simple logic and the threat of bad PR.

es promising retributio

f the office, slammin

t realize I' d been holdi

ight," I said, my voi

dies, Ms. Stanley. It seems you have a bright future

tside my classes. He would try to talk to me, his tone shifting wildly from pleading to demanding. He sent lavish bouquets of flowers to my apartment w

, and blocked my mother' s number. I poured all my energy into my studies, find

croeconomics seminar tha

with warm, intelligent eyes and a smile that reached them every time. He was a PhD student, the teaching assistant for the

ns I asked in class. He would linger after the seminar, and we would fall into easy conver

s working three jobs to put himself through his PhD program. He was kind, genuinely kind, without

I was exhausted, my feet ached, and I had a midterm to study for. As I stepped out into

s For

low smile spread across his face.

said, though we both knew it was a lie.

I teased, a genuine smile touching my lips

nd I didn't want to eat alone." He gestured to the diner I had just l

a loud, embarrassing prote

warm, gentle sound. "I'

constant threat of chaos. But looking at Forrest, at his open, hon

than I expected. "But you' re paying. I jus

widened.

urs, long after the pie was gone. He told me about his dream of becoming a professor, of making economics access

nd it was more than enough. When he walked me home later that night, a com

, his gaze serious. "You don' t have to tell me what

on of anything in return, were more valuable than all

in and pressed a quick, soft kiss t

lush creeping up my neck, my heart beating