Chapter 7: The Vow

최신 챕터

• Professor Lucien    Chapter 30: Get a grip, Sofia.

  “He’s my uncle,” I blurt. Too fast. Too loud.Why do I always blurt out the dumbest things?Why does my brain short-circuit around him?Margaret’s face softens. Like she was holding her breath and I just gave her permission to exhale."Mr. Lucien, wow, I never knew you had a niece."Her voice turns sugar-sweet. Too sweet.The heat climbs up my chest again—the same heat I felt when she first scanned him like a luxury item behind glass.That’s why I said it. That stupid, stupid uncle line.My fingers strangle my bag strap.Then the words slip again—worse than before.“I never said I was his niece.”Margaret gasps. Loud.Her eyes flick between us like she walked in on a scandal.My stomach knots.Did I seriously say that out loud?I don’t need to look to know he’s watching.There’s a sound—low, amused.Laughter. Maybe.No idea. I can’t check. I’m too busy trying not to combust.God, did I just ruin everything?What is wrong with me?“Oh. So you’re not his niece…”“I mean…” I start, hands

• Professor Lucien    Chapter 29: He's My Uncle

  “Your test has been rescheduled for Friday. Class dismissed.”I stack my notes, ignoring the predictable wave of groans.It’s been off the schedule since last week. They just need something to whine about.I glance up.Sofia.Caked makeup. Tired eyes. The kind of tired sleep doesn’t fix.After Saturday, I’m not surprised.“Goodbye, Professor,” Ivy says, walking past with a smirk and her usual entourage.I nod once.Then her eyes lift—right into mine.Steady. Unapologetic.It shoots through me. Quick. Hot. Wrong.She rolls her eyes a second later, like that look never happened. Like I imagined it.I didn’t.She rolls her eyes and turns to her friends, pretending to listen. Pretending she didn’t just wreck my composure with a single look.“Goodbye, Professor,” another group chimes as they pass.“Till tomorrow,” a girl giggles.I don’t answer. Just slow my movements enough to scan the room.That’s when I catch Sofia’s lips move.“Let’s go,” she mouths to her friends.They grab their bags

• Professor Lucien    28. Paper Bags And Paper Hearts.

  “Would you come out already so we can see the dress?” Mom snaps from outside the changing room. Her voice, clipped and impatient, slices right through the curtain.I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair as I stare at the mirror. What kind of joke is this dress?I turn, trying to see the back. The fabric hugs my chest and hips like it’s trying to expose every flaw. I look… round. Not in the flattering way. The zipper strains a little when I move, and the neckline—God, the choker-style collar feels like it’s trying to strangle me into elegance. This dress isn’t me. Not even close. It’s her idea of who I should be.I shift again and exhale—barely. “She got my measurements wrong,” I mutter.“Sofia!” Mom snaps from outside. “Do I have to come in there and drag you out?”Wouldn’t put it past her.I clench my jaw and breathe—barely. My lungs are being crushed by overpriced fabric, and the collar around my neck feels more like a leash than a fashion choice.Still, I unlock the door and step

• Professor Lucien    Chapter 27: Handmade Isn't Enough

  “Coming,” I groan, wincing as the pounding in my head threatens to split it open.That’s what I get for sleeping late and waking up barely past six.“Grandma?” I call out, slipping on my flip-flops and dragging myself to the door.I open the door slowly. Mom’s standing there in full makeup and heels—at 7 a.m. Like she’s headed to a photoshoot, not her daughter’s bedroom.“You’re not dressed,” she says flatly, like I’ve offended her personally.“Good morning to you too,” I mutter, leaning against the doorframe.“We have fittings. You forgot, didn’t you?”No good morning. No how did you sleep. No happy Saturday, honey.“Me and you?” I blink.“Yes. I texted you last night—Brianna’s birthday party. I need to buy you something decent that actually fits the theme.”“Mom.” I groan. “You show up at my door at 6 a.m. just to drag me on a shopping spree… for Brianna’s birthday?”“What’s wrong with that?”“I have things to do. I manage my time—something you don’t seem to understand.”She always

• Professor Lucien    Chapter 26: Don't Ask Me That

  She dragged her eyes up to meet mine—slow, deliberate—and I stilled. Her knees were on the floor. Palms spread gently beside them, like an offering. Obedient. Composed. Too composed. Like she was waiting to be told. “Come here.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. Low. Rough. A command wrapped in need. She smiled. “Okay… Professor Lucien.” She said it slowly. Like a dare. Like she knew exactly what that name did to me. Then she crawled. One knee forward. Then the other. Her hips swayed just enough to make it unbearable. Deliberate. Controlled. Like she wasn’t obeying. Like I was. Her palms kissed the floor, fingers splayed. Graceful. Feline. Dangerous. “Closer,” I heard myself whisper. She tilted her head, lashes lowered like a curtain over something wicked. “Is this how you imagined it, Professor?” I hadn’t. I wouldn’t. But now I’d never imagine anything else. She inched closer—close enough that I could feel her breath ghosting across my skin. And that

• Professor Lucien    Chapter 25: I Lost Both Of You

  Sofia Pov Flashback Mia's Apartment. "Shouldn’t we be getting ready for the party?" Kiera asks, watching Mia lying face-down on the bed, nose buried in a book. "We still have over an hour," Mia groans, barely glancing up. "I’m not trying to show up with the first-rounders." I walk over and climb onto the bed beside her. "What are you reading?" "Seriously, Sofia?" Kiera scoffs. "Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed her obsessing over that book all week. You think you’re going to seduce Leo with those tricks?" "Hush, Kiera." Mia throws her a disapproving glare. "Believing is key." My eyes wander to the pages. Chapter Four: Make Them Kneel Without Touching Them Something tightens in my chest. Curiosity. Quiet. Creeping. The kind that doesn’t knock before entering. Mia flips the page with a sigh, totally engrossed. “This one’s good,” she mutters. “This chapter alone is worth the price.” “Let me see.” I tilt my head, catching a line: “Guilt is a powerful leas