The morning light broke gently across Adrian's penthouse windows, but the peace it brought was paper-thin. Isabel stirred against his chest, her fingers tracing the soft lines on his skin. For a moment, they were just a man and a woman in love—no headlines, no rules, no threats. Just warmth and breath and heartbeats shared under a thin white sheet.
"You should be asleep," Adrian murmured, brushing hair from her face.
Isabel smiled weakly. "Can't. I keep thinking."
He lifted his head. "About what?"
She sighed. "What happens next. We're in love, sure—but what if love isn't enough? What if Daniel never stops?"
Adrian leaned on his elbow, voice firm but low. "Then I'll make sure he does."
Isabel searched his eyes. "You're not scared?"
"I'm terrified," he admitted. "But I'd rather walk through the fire with you than live safely without you."
A knock at the door startled them.
Adrian rose immediately, pulling on sweatpants and moving to the entry. Isabel slipped into one of his dress shirts, following him slowly.
Standing outside was Mrs. Harper.
Adrian blinked. "Dean Harper?"
Her eyes narrowed. "We need to talk. All of us."
They sat in the living room. Mrs. Harper refused tea, but accepted a glass of water. Her eyes lingered too long on Isabel's oversized shirt.
"I'm here unofficially," she began, setting down her purse. "Because the university just received a series of files... compromising files."
Isabel stiffened. "From Daniel."
She nodded. "Yes. The administration hasn't acted yet. But when they do, your teaching record and even your former student status will be under scrutiny."
Adrian sat back, jaw tight. "What do you want from us?"
Mrs. Harper looked between them. "To decide whether I shield you... or let the university handle it."
"Why would you help us?" Isabel asked.
Harper's gaze turned steely. "Because twenty years ago, I was you, Isabel. I had a relationship with a professor. Only difference? I was thrown out. No warning, no support. I see what's happening here, and I want to give you both the chance I never had."
Adrian looked stunned. "Why tell us this now?"
Harper stood. "Because you need time. And because the people on that board? They'll tear you apart unless you come in prepared."
She paused by the door. "One more thing—Daniel's unstable. If he's willing to do this, he might be willing to do more. Watch your backs."
Vanessa walked into the mental health center she volunteered at, her heart heavier than usual. She'd kept her distance from Zara and Jude for a few days, unsure of her feelings.
Inside, she saw Jude organizing boxes of pamphlets.
"You again?" she teased lightly.
Jude turned, surprised. "I could say the same."
She stepped closer. "I've been thinking a lot. About Zara. About you. About who I am."
Jude nodded, careful not to pressure her.
"I've always run from people who wanted more from me," she admitted. "But maybe... it's not because I'm scared of them. Maybe it's because I'm scared of me."
Jude placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to be anything more than who you are. I like you already."
Her lip trembled, but she smiled.
"I'm not ready to promise anything," she said.
"I'm not asking for a promise," he replied. "Just the truth."
She nodded. "Then the truth is—I don't want to run anymore."
That night, Adrian stayed up combing through every legal option to counter Daniel's blackmail. Isabel scrolled through social media, heart sinking with each headline.
One article read: Scandalous Love: Professor Cole's Downfall or Rebellion?
Another: Isabel Nwachukwu—Victim or Temptress?
She slammed the phone down.
"I'm tired of being everyone's headline," she muttered.
Adrian pulled her into his lap. "Then let's rewrite the story. On our terms."
Isabel blinked at him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, we go public. Not with a scandal. With a story. The truth. We control the narrative. We tell them how we met, what we endured, and why we love each other despite it all."
She hesitated, then smiled. "You're crazy."
"Only about you."
And just like that, a plan was born.
They would stop hiding. They would stop letting fear make decisions. And whatever Daniel tried next, they'd face it together.
Meanwhile, Daniel sat in his car again—this time with someone else.
"You know what to do?" he asked.
The man in the passenger seat nodded. "Yeah. Scare them. Shake them up a little. I've done worse."
Daniel handed over a photo of Adrian and Isabel. "Start with her. She's the weakness."
His eyes gleamed.
"Let's see how brave they really are."