The library clock struck 6:00 p.m., its ticking now louder than ever in Isabel's ears. She'd been sitting in the quiet section for over an hour, but her mind hadn't absorbed a word on the page. Her fingers drummed absently against her textbook, the echo reminding her of the rhythmic pull of Adrian's hands gripping her waist just nights ago.
But now, things were different.
After their intense moment in his office, Adrian had grown colder—guarded, almost like he was regretting the closeness they'd shared. Isabel had seen the conflict flash in his eyes that morning as he brushed past her in the hallway without a word. It wasn't like him to be cruel. But silence, she realized, could wound deeper than any harsh sentence.
Isabel closed her book and stood up abruptly. Her body felt restless. Like something inside her was screaming to be heard.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
Jude: Hey. Daniel's been around the dorm again. Just thought you should know.
Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't seen Daniel in weeks. Not since the last time he showed up outside the campus gates, demanding they talk. She had blocked his number, ignored his emails, and even changed her walking routes. But Jude had a knack for sensing danger—and he never messaged her without reason.
Heart pounding, she left the library and walked straight to her dorm. She needed answers. And safety. Jude was the only person who truly understood how much damage Daniel had done.
When she entered their shared room, Jude was seated on his bed, scrolling through his phone. His head lifted when he saw her. "You okay?"
She nodded, then shook her head. "Not really. Tell me what happened."
"He wasn't subtle this time," Jude said, standing. "I saw him parked outside the campus bookstore this morning. Then again near the south wing. He's watching you."
A chill settled across Isabel's skin. "Why now?"
Jude hesitated. "Maybe he knows about... you and Professor Cole."
She froze. "We've been discreet."
Jude raised an eyebrow. "You think Daniel cares about discretion?"
The truth stung. Daniel wasn't someone who let go easily. He clung. He punished. And if he sensed Isabel was finally free from his grip, he'd do everything to pull her back in—even if it meant hurting others.
—
That night, Adrian stood at the edge of his estate's balcony, a glass of brandy in his hand. The city lights twinkled in the distance like cold stars. But his mind was lost in memory—of Isabel's breath on his skin, the tremble in her voice when she whispered his name.
He hated how badly he wanted her. Not just physically, but entirely. Her intelligence, her fire, the pain she carried like armor. Every moment without her felt like punishment.
But it was wrong. She was his student. And worse—his father had started to notice.
Earlier that day, Adrian's father, Reginald Cole, had called him into his study. The air had been thick with silence and legacy—the family portraits on the wall almost sneering with judgment.
"She's not like us," Reginald said plainly, sipping his scotch. "You'll ruin everything we've built with one mistake."
"She's not a mistake," Adrian replied, jaw clenched.
"She will be. Once the board finds out. Once the media finds out."
Adrian had left without another word. But the threat lingered. His family had money, yes—but with that came power, and power didn't tolerate scandal. Especially not over a girl half his age.
He stared at his phone now. He wanted to call Isabel. To explain the silence. But what could he say?
"I want you more than I've wanted anything, but I'm too much of a coward to fight for you right now."
No. He couldn't drag her down with him.
—
Meanwhile, back at the dorms, Isabel sat curled up in her bed, trying to sleep. But her heart felt too loud in her chest.
She picked up her phone and messaged Adrian.
Isabel: Are we going to talk about what happened?
The typing dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Adrian: It wasn't supposed to go that far.
Her throat tightened.
Isabel: But it did.
A pause.
Adrian: This isn't fair to you. I need time to figure this out.
She stared at the message, her eyes burning. She wanted to scream. To throw the phone against the wall. Instead, she typed quietly.
Isabel: I'm not asking for promises. Just honesty.
No reply came.
—
Days passed. And Adrian kept his distance.
Isabel started to lose focus in class. She avoided the back row seat she used to claim just to be closer to him. Now she sat up front, trying to pretend she didn't feel his gaze every time he stepped into the lecture hall.
But something else was changing too.
Daniel.
He was everywhere now—like a ghost that wouldn't rest. Isabel began receiving anonymous notes in her mailbox. One read: You belong to me. Another: I see you when he sees you.
One night, as she walked alone toward her dorm, someone grabbed her wrist.
She yelped and turned—but it was Jude.
"Sorry!" he gasped. "Didn't mean to scare you."
Isabel's chest heaved. "It's okay. I just... I thought it was him."
"Let me walk you back," Jude said gently.
As they walked, Isabel noticed how quiet Jude had become lately. More protective. More watchful.
When they reached the door, he hesitated. "Have you told Adrian?"
She shook her head. "He's... not really talking to me."
Jude's jaw tightened. "Then maybe it's time someone does something."
—
That same evening, in a dimly lit art studio across town, Vanessa Cole kissed Zara's paint-stained lips. The thrill of secrecy made the moment even sweeter.
But her phone buzzed on the table.
It was an unknown number.
Someone is watching you.
She frowned.
"Everything okay?" Zara asked, her voice dreamy.
Vanessa hesitated, then smiled. "Yeah. Just a spam text."
But in her gut, she knew better. The Cole family secrets were never safe for long.
—
Back in his estate, Adrian finally gave in.
He drove across town at midnight and parked near Isabel's dorm.
He didn't call.
He just waited.
And when the lights in her window went out, he stayed for another hour—watching, regretting, needing.
He whispered her name once, softly.
"Isabel."
And then he drove away, the night swallowing him whole.