All Chapters of On My Professor's Desk: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

For a moment, the silence in the room sharpened like glass. Dr. Reid didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe. His eyes—dark, piercing, unreadable—searched her face as if he could pull the truth straight out of her bloodstream.Ava regretted it instantly.She had let too much truth escape.William stepped closer, slow and deliberate, until Ava swore the air between them heated like flame. “Protect us,” he repeated softly, tasting the words. “Ava…who knows about us?”Her throat tightened. “Camille...”“Camille?” His voice dropped an octave, dangerously calm. “How come? Did you tell her?”"No, I didn't." Ava answered quietly, "She suspected there was something going on between us. I got back with Louis to convince her otherwise."“Louis,” he swallowed hard, “is a boy who thinks he owns a woman he barely knows. You are not his girlfriend, Ava. And certainly not giving him a second chance.”Ava’s chest rose and fell rapidly. “William did you hear me, I had to do something. Camille was starting to get

The motel parking lot was almost empty.A single streetlamp flickered near the entrance, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement as Camille stepped out of the cab. The night air was cool, sharp against her skin, but it did nothing to calm the heat burning in her chest.Suncrest Motel.The name glared back at her from the faded sign.Who could Ava be meeting here?Her heart pounded as she walked toward the building, each step heavier than the last. She half-hoped—no, prayed—that this was all a misunderstanding. That Ava had a reasonable explanation. That the card meant nothing.But deep down, Camille already knew.She climbed the stairs to the second floor slowly, her fingers tightening around the motel card. Room numbers blurred past her eyes until she stopped.225.Her pulse spiked.For a long moment, she just stood there, staring at the door. Listening. Her heart thundered so loudly she was sure someone inside could hear it.If you knock, she told herself, everything change

Dr. William Reid sat behind his desk, sleeves buttoned, posture perfect, eyes focused on a document in front of him. He didn’t look up right away.That alone unsettled her.“William,” she said quietly.Nothing.Her heart began to race.“I… I’m sorry I didn’t come last night,” she said, words tumbling out before her courage could evaporate. “I tried, I swear. Things got complicated with Louis.”He finally looked up.And the cold in his eyes made her chest tighten.“Miss Sterling,” he said evenly, “if you’re here about coursework, you’ll need to schedule an appointment.”The words landed like a slap.Ava stared at him. “What?”“You’re not scheduled,” he continued calmly. “And I have another class in thirty minutes.”She stepped closer, confused, hurt. “William, please—”“That is Dr. Reid,” he corrected, his tone clipped.Something cracked inside her.“This isn’t funny,” she whispered. “I know I messed up. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but his voice

The water was hot—almost scalding.William stood beneath it, head bowed, palms braced against the tile as steam filled the bathroom. He let the water run over him as if it could wash away the day. The office. The door closing. Camille’s voice lingering far too clearly in his mind.He shut his eyes.This has to stop.The thought came sharp and absolute.It must.But he couldn't get the thought out of his head.First it was Ava. Now it was Camille, her bestfriend.What has gotten over him?Why was he so weak and easy to ge to?He was almost late for his class today.What would his father in-law; the Dean say, if this ever came to light?What would be of his marriage?Vanessa was pregnant, it would be too much for her to bear.This has to stop.---Outside the bathroom, his phone buzzed.Once.Then again.His wife looked up from the couch, distracted from the book resting on her lap. William rarely received messages this late. Most of his colleagues respected boundaries. So who could it

Dr. William Reid walked Vanessa out of his office himself after her brief visit.He insisted on it, too quickly, too carefully, as though proximity and courtesy could erase suspicion. His hand hovered near the small of her back without quite touching, a familiar gesture he hoped would reassure her. Vanessa noticed. She noticed everything these days.“I told Ava very clearly,” William said as they moved down the hallway, his voice low and even, “that her message last night was inappropriate. That it would never happen again.”Vanessa nodded, her expression calm, almost serene. “And how did she take it?”“She was embarrassed,” he replied. “Apologetic. I made it clear that boundaries matter.”“Good,” Vanessa said softly.They reached the entrance. Students passed by, laughing, unaware of the tension walking among them. William held the door open as Vanessa stepped into the sunlight, then turned back to face him.“I trust you,” she said.The words were gentle.But her eyes were sharp.Wil