Chapter 8: First Date Setup

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• The Price of A Bet   Chapter 62: The Truth Unfolds

  The studio lights were blinding. Vivian sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap, her heart pounding as the cameras prepared to roll. Across from her, Ethan sat still, his expression calm but resolute. Between them, the journalist—Amelia Rhodes—adjusted her earpiece and glanced at her notes one final time.“We’re live in five,” the producer called out. “Four, three, two—”The red light blinked on.Amelia gave a practiced smile and began. “Good evening. Tonight, we bring you an exclusive interview that has captured headlines across the city. With me are Vivian Hayes, the respected literature teacher at Fairhaven Academy, and Ethan Carter, her former student. Their relationship has sparked controversy, debate, and legal threats. Tonight, they’ve agreed to tell their side of the story. Unfiltered. Uncut.”Vivian swallowed hard. Ethan gave her a subtle nod, silently urging her on.Amelia turned to Vivian. “Let’s start with you, Ms. Hayes. Many are wondering why you chose to come forwa

• The Price of A Bet   Chapter 61: Whispers in the Dark

  The warm morning light filtered through the thin curtains of the cabin, casting golden shadows across the wooden floor. Vivian stirred, blinking slowly as the light reached her eyes. For a moment, she forgot everything—where she was, what had happened, and who lay beside her. Then, reality came flooding back.Ethan.His arm was draped across her waist, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his breath. She turned her head slightly to look at him. In sleep, he seemed younger—more at peace. The storm that usually raged behind his eyes was nowhere to be found.Vivian shifted carefully, trying not to wake him, but his arm tightened around her."Where do you think you're going?" His voice was hoarse, deep with sleep.She smiled softly. "I was just going to get some coffee.""Stay a little longer," he murmured, pulling her close.She sank back into his embrace, allowing herself a moment of peace. But it was short-lived. Her mind raced with everything they had left behind—her father

• The Price of A Bet   Chapter 60: Breaking Point

  Vivian stared at her phone screen, the message Daniel had forwarded still glowing in her inbox. Her fingers trembled as she read it again."Payment confirmed. Ensure Ethan Miller disappears from the institution before end of term. He’s getting too close."The words burned like acid, each syllable another cut to her already fragile trust. She had known Daniel could be possessive. Controlling, even. But this?She stormed out of the lecture hall, the echo of her heels snapping through the corridor. Ethan was still teaching the second-year class, unaware of the emotional earthquake about to hit him.She burst through the side door just as the class ended. Students filtered out, throwing curious glances at her pale face and furious eyes. Ethan looked up, startled."Vivian? What—""We need to talk," she said, her voice sharp.His brows furrowed. He ushered her into the empty classroom, shutting the door behind them. "What is it?"She handed him her phone. "Read it."He took the device, eyes

• The Price of A Bet   Chapter 59: A Crack in the Armor

  The morning sunlight spilled through the thin curtains of the cabin, casting warm golden streaks across the hardwood floor. Vivian stirred in the bed, still wrapped in the tangle of blankets and Ethan’s arms. For a moment, she didn’t move. She simply listened to the sound of birds outside and the steady rhythm of Ethan’s breathing beside her. There was a quiet here, a peace that felt rare and foreign after the chaos of the past few days.But as the memories of everything they had run from came flooding back, a knot formed in her stomach.Ethan shifted, his hand brushing along her bare arm. “You’re awake,” he murmured, voice thick with sleep.Vivian turned her head slightly to meet his gaze. His hair was tousled, his eyes soft, still glazed with dreams. “Yeah,” she whispered.For a few heartbeats, they simply stared at each other. No words. Just the silent understanding that everything had changed.Ethan sat up slowly, running a hand down his face. “We should probably check our phones.

• The Price of A Bet   Chapter 58: Rumors and Realizations

  The aftermath of their secluded escape settled like dust after a storm. Vivian and Ethan returned to the city, not quite ready but knowing they couldn’t stay hidden forever. As the car wove through familiar streets, reality pressed against the windows, loud and insistent.Vivian's phone buzzed nonstop in her bag, the endless stream of messages, missed calls, and media alerts too overwhelming to face. Her father had called twenty-three times. Daniel had left her six voicemails—each one more broken than the last. The world knew. The scandal had made headlines.The Heiress and the Student: A Forbidden Affair.Ethan pulled into the underground parking lot of his apartment building. "Are you sure you want to face it all today? We could stay in. Hide for one more day."Vivian shook her head slowly. "No. If we hide, they win. If we pretend we’re ashamed of this… of us… they get to write the ending."He nodded. "Then we walk into the fire together."Back in Ethan's apartment, the air was thic

• The Price of A Bet   Chapter 57: The Aftermath of Truth

  The morning light streamed in through the wide windows of the cabin, casting a golden hue over the wooden floorboards and the tangle of sheets on the bed where Ethan and Vivian lay. The fire had long since died, leaving only the soft crackle of cooling embers behind. For a moment, everything was still. Peaceful.Vivian stirred first, her eyes fluttering open. The serenity of the scene struck her. The sound of birds, the scent of pine drifting in through the slightly open window, and the warmth of Ethan’s arms around her — it felt unreal, like a dream she didn’t want to wake from.But reality never stayed away for long.Ethan shifted beside her, and his eyes met hers. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice still rough with sleep.She smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Good morning."For a long moment, they simply lay there, basking in the fragile comfort of each other. But the weight of the world pressed in from all sides. They both knew the outside wasn’t go