Athena

    "Come on Athena! You missed every party we''ve had. We need to celebrate our final paper!” Mira hooks her hand Into mine and I wince.

    "Careful, I''m still in pain." It has been two weeks since my ident and my body has healed but when too much pressure is applied, it stings.

    After I was discharged, officers came home and asked if I had anyone who would target me and honestly, I couldn''t think of anyone. Ariana suggested they get me a bodyguard but I declined.

    It was going to just cause unnecessary attention.

    They were reluctant at first but I managed to convince them and now here I am.

    Mira has been my friend since my first year and although I wouldn''t call her my best friend, she''s the closest I have to one.

    Her face reddens. "Oh I''m so sorry. I thought you were better."

    Iugh, “I am. We can talk about the party once I write my exams, okay? I''m anxious and I''m not sure they''ll let me sit for them."

    One thing about this school is that they don''tpromise and reputat ion and don''t take excuses for missing exams.

    I''ve seen people barely able to sit attend their exams because they are afraid they won''t be given a chance to write a deferred.

    I guess that''s why it''s the best medical sc ol!

    Miraughs pulling me back to reality and I frown.

    What are we talking about again?

    Oh right

    My exams

    "Oh they will let you write, alright. You''re now the talk of

    the school! Alexander King saved you from Mnie and her uptight

    Dad. The disciplinary expelled her and everyone keepsing up with theories."

    I stiffen at her words, my grip tightening slightly around my notebook.

    I totally forgot about Mnie. I guess I hit... wait.. could she be the

    one who pushed me?

    What am I thinking?

    "Theories?" I echo, keeping my voice even.

    Mira nods eagerly. "Oh, yeah. Some people say he''s your secret lover, others think

    he''s your sugar daddy, and the wildest one I''ve

    Chapter 26 - Awkward Exam

    heard is that you''re actually his long-

    lost childhood sweetheart." She giggles. "Honestly, I''d kill for a man like him toe to

    rescue."

    my

    I force a smile, ignoring the way my stomach twists.

    "Don''t you people read articles? His childhood Sweetheart is Leah Woods. She''s a

    pretty famous Doctor

    and in his league. He only came because I''m a beneficiary of the schrship." I exin and Mira nods with a smile.

    "Right. Alexander King left his precious office just for that. Like they don''t have a million people they can send." She mumbles,

    and I groan.

    I don''t know what''s worse-the fact that people are talking about me, or

    the fact that they''re talking about us.

    Mira nudges me yfully. "Come on, Athena. The man practically stormed in like some mafia boss in a

    movie. No way it was just

    about a schrship."

    Mr. Dalton and his big mouth.

    I sigh, rubbing my temple. "It was just about that."

    "Sure," she drags out the

    word, clearly unconvinced. "Well, whatever the reason, you should have seen Mnie''s face when he

    shut her father down. Pure gold."

    I bite my lip.

    I had seen it.

    But what I don''t understand is why he did it

    He''s always kept our marriage under

    wraps, never once showing an ounce of concern for me in public.

    Until that day.

    Mira loops her arm through mine again, more carefully

    this time. "Anyway, you''re basically untouchable now. No professor is going to risk pissing off Alexander King."

    My stomach twists at the thought.

    I worked hard for my education. I fought for it. I sacrificed sleep, sanity, and my damn soul

    to get here.

    Thest thing I want is for my sess to be credited to the man whose ring doesn''t even

    sit on my finger because hemanded

    me not to wear it except when it''s during a family function.

    Suddenly, anger res inside my chest. Why should he control my life? He does whatever he wants, right?

    Well, then I guess I can too. Besides, to the public I''m a damn single woman! "What time is the party again?"

    "9 pm," Mira responds while typing away on her phone.

    "Great! I''ll be there." I wink at her and walk away to write my final paper.

    The moment I step inside the hall, something feels off.

    The usual tension before an exam is there, but the energy directed toward me

    is different.

    The first professor I see-Professor Reynolds-

    catches my gaze, and instead of the usual strict nod, he smiles.

    The man never smiles, I was sure he had lip paralysis.

    What the hell?

    I blink, unsure if I''m seeing things. He tilts his head in my direction,

    and for a brief moment, it feels as

    though the entire hall is holding its breath. I force a neutral expression and walk

    past him, pretending like this unusual behavior doesn''t affect me.

    I nod back awkwardly at another professor and keep walking.

    Mrs. Hill is standing near the door, handing out answer booklets.

    When I reach her, she gives me two.

    "For safety," she says warmly, as if she actually cares whether I run out of space.

    She has never, in all my years here, ever smiled at me.

    I mutter a thanks and take a seat.

    A few more students file in, but no one sits

    near me. My heart pounds a little as I realize something-

    I''m the only one in this row.

    And then it clicks.

    Is it because of Alex?

    The thought makes my skin crawl. I grip my pen tightly as the invigtor

    announces the start of the exam.

    I exhale slowly, pushing all thoughts of Alex aside.

    Right now, none of it matters.

    Right now, it''s just me and this paper.

    I pick up my pen.

    And I begin to write.

    Once I''m done, I''m going to party like the world just ended, I''ll make it on the news tomorrow.