Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Oh my God.” I curl my knees into my chest and try to process this information.
“Do you think you’re going to talk to him?” she asks.
“I don’t know.” I blink. “It’s been a long time. A lot of stuff has happened.”
“Stella.” Sybil lays her hand on mine. “I know you’re scared, but I think you have to do this. If for no other reason than he can and should help you. And he will. When he finds out, he’ll do the right thing. He’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
I don’t like the way she says taken care of because it reminds me of Lila. “I don’t want to be like my mother. I don’t want to be someone he just sends a check to every month.”
Sybil shakes her head. “I know. You aren’t like your mother. You’re nothing like her. But he got you into this mess and he can at least share the burden with you.”
“We both got ourselves into this mess.” I laugh half-heartedly. “I’m not an idiot. I knew the risks we were taking, and I took them anyway.”
“Just promise me you’ll think about talking to him,” she pleads.
“I’ll think about it,” I concede.
But honestly, I’m more worried about seeing him than talking to him right now. It’s been months, and I don’t think I’ll ever get Sebastian out of my system.
AS I LURK OUTSIDE of Sebastian’s class the next day, I conjure up a million different reasons I should skip. I think I feel a cold coming on. Or a headache. Or, more accurately, a heartache.
Sybil reaches for my hand and laces her fingers through mine. “It’s going to be fine. Deep breaths. Most likely, he won’t even call on you during class. It’s been too long, I really don’t think that will be your first interaction together.”
“I know.” I glance at the door, noting we only have two minutes left to get inside, and I don’t want Sybil to be late over my fears. “Let’s just go.”
I follow her inside with my head down, refusing to look at Sebastian. At least for three whole minutes. But that doesn’t stop Sybil from offering me reports of his every movement.
“He just looked at you,” she whispers. “Now he’s wiping off the board. Okay, he’s going to shut the door.”
“All right, Sybil.” A smile curves over my face, despite my resolve to remain serious. “I get it.”
“Welcome back, Mr. Carter,” Louisa purrs from the back of the classroom.
“Thank you, Louisa,” he answers gruffly.
I sneak a glance in his direction, noting that he looks sharper than ever in his Prussian blue suit. He’s wearing the jacket open today with a crisp white shirt and matching pocket square. He’s been ruling the Carter empire, and it shows. The only thing that doesn’t make sense is what Sebastian is doing back here when he has an entire corporation to lord over. By his own admission, he isn’t happy at Loyola. He could have stayed in New York with his cushy new title at Carter Holdings and Megan by his side. Together, they look catalogue perfect. Nothing about his return adds up.
“Take out your workbooks and turn to page two-sixty.” Sebastian commands the attention of the room with the same authority that first caught my eye. “Today, we will review your progress on ethical research practices, which I’m told you’ve become well acquainted with in my absence. Note that there will be a quiz before the end of class, so pay attention.”
A collective groan resounds through the room while I sink into my seat and attempt to harness the power of blending into inanimate objects. But as it turns out, it isn’t necessary. Sebastian clips over the material at breakneck speed, only pausing to ask a few questions along the way. He never glances in my direction, and I don’t bother to volunteer any answers.
The quiz is a challenge, mostly because my head is fuzzy and I wasn’t exactly paying attention, but luckily, we’ve gone over the material so many times I’m satisfied that I’ll pass. After we hand in our papers, Sebastian doles out the next homework assignment—heavy reading on interpreting qualitative data—and then sends us on our way.
“See, you survived.” Sybil pokes me in the ribs as we exit the building. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No.” I shrug, but inside, I don’t feel any better that our interaction was nonexistent. Sebastian has laid out his cards, and it’s clear he’s moved on.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
SEBASTIAN
AFTER RUNNING circles around campus for over an hour, I’ve managed to pass her dorm three times without going inside. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still considering it, even after everything. Going inside would be the selfish thing to do. Caving to my needs with no regard for hers is a pattern I’m not eager to repeat, and Stella needs to learn what’s good for her.