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“Is it regarding our marriage?” Bryce raised his eyebrow. “In a manner of speaking.”

“Are you going to be able to keep your job?” Brayden asked.

My breath caught. I hadn’t considered this. But relationships between students and professors were forbidden. “What’s going to happen?”

What about the plan? Would all of this be annulled, and I sentback?

Besides that, while I hated Bryce, and firmly believed he didn’t deserve to be our teacher, I didn’t want anyone to get into trouble on my account.

“That’s not the problem. Aine Hamway is on suspension, there’s questions about how she was able to purchase the Cole’s family property in the first place. The elders don’t believe in coincidence,” Bryce said. “I’m in charge of her class until the investigation is completed. So long as someone else grades your work, Dean Abernathy doesn’t care that you are my student. Though, we might have to be aware of rumors. People are going to be curious about you and might approach you. Dean is worried about campus security.”

My heartbeat was thundering in my ears. “People will look at me?”

“People watch you anyway.” Bryce frowned. “Haven’t you noticed?”

I glanced at Brayden, and he nodded. “It’s a part of your appeal. Anyone with an inkling of power is going to be drawn to you.”

My stomach clenched. No. I hadnotnoticed. But now that he’d mentioned it, I was certain to see gazes following me. My entire day would be filled with paranoia and fear… Well, even more than usual.

Thanks, Bryce.

“It’s not a bad thing,” Brayden offered, covering my hand with his.

“Shut up.” I tugged my hand away, pressing it against my mouth. “This is a disaster.”

“You don’t like being the center of attention?” Bryce finished loosening his tie and ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, you’re going to have to suck it up. This is your life now, honey-bee. Just wait until you’re introduced to the courts.”

I pushed my hands into my lap, glaring at him.

But he cut me off before I could say a word. “This is our mother’s engagement ring.” He held his fist out to me. His cheeks turned dark, but his voice remained oddly formal. “It would be my honor if you accept my proposal.”

“Thisis why you’re interrupting our lesson?” Brayden covered his face. “You don’t need to actually ask her! I only said she needs to have something on her finger, not that you should make a whole dramatic production. You’re already married.”

“Shut up.” Bryce glowered at the curly-haired man. “We have traditions to uphold.”

“That’s gross.” Brayden shuddered.

My hand shook as I held my palm up. My silent acquiescence wasn’t from the fact I approved of the manner of his proposal or that this wasn’t disgusting. Because it was.

I was expecting a ring. But I thought he’d purchased it at the mall.

Notthis.

My throat closed. The annoyance in Bryce’s eyes had trickled away, and for a moment we were connected. All my negative feelings toward him scattered in the face of this new development.

Bryce was trying. I could see it in his gaze. He wanted to mend the rift in our relationship. To do that, he was giving me something that belonged to my biological mother.

How could I say no to that?

Physical evidence of her existence was so close to me. My breath was shaky and loud in my ears, and I couldn’t hold back the breathy squeak of my voice. “Can I see?”

“The ring?” Bryce’s eyebrow slowly rose. “Of course, it’s yours.” He opened his fist, and the antique gold band fell into my hand.

Brayden scoffed. “That’s real romantic. I thought you were going for tradition.”

“Keep your comments to yourself,” Bryce retorted.

I could scarcely breathe. My vision wavered as my blurry gaze took in the gold band, I couldn’t even make out any details yet. But it felt heavy. Surely it didn’t weigh so much.