Chapter 3

Bella slipped an arm around my shoulders as we left the office. I kept my gaze lowered, praying she had believed my story that I had simply come to deliver the register and nothing more. Even though Marcus had just helped to clean my wound, it still wouldn’t have looked appropriate in Bella’s eyes .

But judging by her reaction, she didn’t suspect a thing.

She glanced over her shoulder at her father, who had already settled behind his desk.

“Daddy, can we borrow your jacket?”

“Yeah, sure.”

He handed it over, and Bella immediately draped it around my shoulders.

I turned back toward him.

“Thank you, sir,” I murmured timidly.

His eyes softened.

“Take care of yourself, Ella. We care about you.”

The words sounded innocent enough, but the way he delivered them carried a double meaning that made heat rise to my cheeks. Bella guided me out of the office, completely unaware.

We left the office.

“Why didn’t you tell me this morning that you fell?” Bella asked once we were in the hallway, concern lacing her voice.

“Uh…” I looked away guiltily. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

She stopped walking.

“Ella, come on. We’ve already spent years apart. I really don’t want to lose you again.”

A faint smile touched my lips.

She was being sincere with me while I stood there carrying secrets and complicated feelings inside my chest.

“Uh, Bella?” I said, trying to steady my voice. “Why didn’t you tell me your dad is a professor here?”

She slapped a hand against her forehead.

“Okay, that’s definitely my fault. We had so much catching up to do that it completely slipped my mind.”

She laughed before adding, “But don’t get any ideas. He’s strict when it comes to grades. He won’t give you free marks just because you’re a family friend.”

I forced a smile.

“That’s okay. I’ll work hard.”

We continued walking toward the campus exit.

Then my eyes landed on a couple standing near the stairwell.

A boy and a girl were kissing passionately, completely oblivious to everyone around them.

I almost looked away.

Then I recognized him.

Henry.

My lip curled into a scoff.

No wonder I had never truly forgiven him.

Forgiving a cheating man was like washing clothes while they were still lying in the dirt. The effort was pointless.

Beside me, Bella groaned.

“Who are these idiots? Let me go knock some sense into them.”

I quickly grabbed her wrist.“Don’t.” “What?”

“Just leave them alone. Let’s go.”

The last thing I wanted was for Henry to notice me.

I was glad I now had a reason to get rid of him completely from my life , and I certainly didn’t want Bella discovering how terrible I was at choosing men.

Neither of them noticed us as we walked past.

Bella accompanied me to the hospital, where they cleaned the wound properly and wrapped a fresh bandage around my wound .

Afterward, we headed back to my dorm.

“I’m not coming in,” she said. “I’ve got an assignment to finish. Take care of yourself, okay?”

She kissed my cheek before hurrying away.

I entered my room and collapsed onto my bed.

Only then did I realize I was still wearing Marcus’s jacket.

I slowly lifted it closer.

It smelled faintly of roses.

Immediately, memories flooded my mind—his fingers brushing my piercing, the way my skin had reacted beneath his touch.

Goosebumps raced across my arms.

I yanked the jacket off and tossed it aside.

I wasn’t ready to sin again because If hurting my stomach had been karma the last time sinful thoughts consumed me, next time it could be my head.

The ridiculous thought made me snort.

Exhaustion quickly won, and within minutes, I drifted asleep.

Hours later, loud moans yanked me from my sleep.

I groaned and rolled over.

The noise was coming from the room next door.

Honestly, did these people have no shame?

I buried my face in the pillow and tried to ignore it.

The sounds only grew louder.

“Oh, yes… Daddy…”

My eyes snapped open.

I sat upright.

“The guy’s cock can’t possibly be that good,” I muttered irritably.

Grabbing my phone and Marcus’s jacket, I stormed out of the room.

As I walked down the corridor, I noticed a man dressed entirely in black standing near the stairwell.

A lighter flickered repeatedly in his hand .

For some reason, the sight unsettled me.

Still, I ignored him and continued outside.

I headed to a nearby grocery store and bought a few things before making my way back to the dorm.

But the moment I returned, the bag slipped from my fingers.

Everything crashed onto the pavement.

My dormitory was on fire.

Bright orange flames devoured the building, swallowing windows and walls in an inferno of smoke and heat.

Students poured out screaming, running in every direction.

Some were crying.

Others stood frozen in horror.

The fire roared louder and louder, consuming everything in its path.

And all I could do was stand there and watch as everything I owned was burning to ashes .