His Rival, Her Redemption

denly the projector screen behind me flickered. Instead of blueprints and building designs, an intimate photo of me appeared

y face, pushing the dream

suit, a shield of normalcy. I had

the front of the room, I could see she was texting, a smug little smile on her face. She was one

ation from the students aro

a new bag? It

hear. "Mark got it for me. He's just so generous. He s

ing on the projector and starting my lecture on sustainable urban design. I

e screen of her phone glowing brightly. It was disrespectful, but I chose not

k of the lecture hall. Students started

od ran

. My nightmare

go, was displayed on the projector for the entire class to see. It w

urmurs and muffled laughter. M

r. "Professor Reed! How could you have something like this

, making it seem li

" I said, my voice shaking. "

ing up in her eyes. "You're just tryi

essor and a crying, victimized student. The d

rang. It

w," he snarled

he university, the whispers and stares

as waiting for me by the pool. Sarah was

d, but Sarah suddenly broke aw

cried, looking genuinely hysterical. Then, as she got close, she stu

into the cold water of the

, my clothes heavy, my hair plastered to my face. I str

led, my voice raw with anger and disb

mask. "All I see is you humiliating Sarah. S

y entire class!" I screamed, treading water.

rously low. "You're just jealous. I told you, I'l

He refused to see the tr

I said, my teeth chattering from

had to use the one we

id, the words cutti

r of panic crossed his face, but i

. "Who would you marry? Stop play

and yanking me towards the edge o

struggled, but h

You don't get to decide when we're over." He squeez

face. In the cold water, I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temp

o, pushing me ba

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "Are y

st let it go. Professor Reed is upset. Maybe I was wrong to come here." Her v

ou did nothing wrong. I'll handle the univers

way, leaving me shiverin