“You’re sleeping with one of your students! I hardly think you did that by accident.”
“I met Chiara in Italy, before she became my student. And for the record, I tried to fight it.”
“Until your dick won the battle.” He twists his face into a scowl.
“It isn’t like that. I love her.”
My confession seems to dilute a bit of Forrester’s anger, but he continues to glare. “That doesn’t change the fact that she’s eighteen and your student.”
“Fire me, then.”
“Oh, I will, but I’m afraid I must expel Miss Moretti as well.”
“What? Why? She’s done nothing wrong.”
Forrester raises an eyebrow. “Really? You don’t consider sleeping with her teacher as something reproachable? All the grades she’s earned in your classes will be questioned now.”
“I didn’t give Chiara any special treatment. She earned her marks by her own merit.”
“Even so, she broke the student code of conduct. It’s out of my hands. The board demanded your head and hers.”
“That’s such bullshit!” I stand up, not willing to sit here and listen to Forrester destroy Chiara’s academic reputation.
“Shouting and cursing won’t get you anywhere. You should have thought about the consequences before you gave in to your urges. I expected more from you.”
That last reproach feels like a punch to my gut. I also expected more from myself.
“I’ll collect my belongings and be off the premises within the hour.”
“Wait, you need to be escorted by security.”
I turn, leveling him with a glare. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I’m sorry, Alistair. Those are the rules. I can’t keep covering for you.”
Fuming, I leave his office but wait for the babysitter in the waiting area. I’m not sure what Forrester thinks I’ll do, but he sent two guys to escort me. Fucking great. I feel like a criminal.
My walk of shame draws as much attention as I thought it would. At least I’m the one facing it, not Chiara.
God, she’s going to be devastated when she learns they’re expelling her.
I pack my things as fast as I can, at least the personal belongings I can carry with me. The books and other bigger stuff will have to be packed by someone else and shipped to me later. It feels bittersweet to hand over my staff ID and the keys to my office. I did enjoy teaching here.
The vineyard is also gone.
What the fuck am I going to do with my life now?
42
Chiara
After the encounter with Nadine, I changed my mind about going to Robbie’s place. I need to be home, surrounded by familiar things, so I can break down in peace. Robbie wanted to come up to my apartment with me, but I told him I needed to be alone.
My cheek still stings from Nadine’s slap, but it’s my ego that’s more bruised. I should have reacted, scratched her face, done something. But no, I just cowered, just like I did every time Mom was cruel to me.
I take the stairs, not wanting to risk getting stuck with anyone in the elevator. When I reach the landing, I find someone standing in front of my door.
“Max! What are you doing here?”
God, did he already know about what happened that fast? I never told him Alistair was my teacher. He’s going to be so mad I hid it from him.
He glances at me, and I can tell he’s had a rough day, or maybe night.
“Chibi, you’re finally home.”
He hugs me, and I’m at a loss for why.
“Max, did something happen? Why didn’t you call me?”
“I couldn’t tell you over the phone. It’s about your father.”
My blood runs cold in an instant, and I fear the worst.
“He’s been arrested,” Max continues.
I blink a couple of times as my brain tries to grapple with the news. My heart rejoices that he’s not dead, but in the next beat, it twists painfully in my chest again.
“What do you mean? Why?”
