Chapter 14
Sample copies of the “The New American Literary Review lay quiedy on jordan’s desk, with her column preview printed on the cover. The classroom was empty. mil the evening sun’s rays filtered through the windows, bathing her in a warm golden glow.]]
“Working on another piece?”
Emmett’s voice came from the doorway as he irred carrying a stack of materials, his eyes reflecting concern.
Jordan looked up. her lips. automatically curving into a smile. Professor Calloway, look–my colume starts next week.
Emmeti set down his materials and carefully examined the sample journal, sunlight catching on his eyelashes, casting a small shadow on his cheeks.
It’s excellent.” be closed the magazine, his voice gentle, but it’s time to rest now, Let ine walk you back to your dormitory”
They walked side by side along the campus path, dappled with tree shadows. Emmett suddenly stopped. “ny the way, nest month. Td like is recommend you
there’s a Young 1
Writers‘ Forum in the city
Jordan Heywar]
A cold voice cut through
his words]
jordan’s body tensed as she slowly turned. Maxwell Stone stood five meters away, his military uniform immaculate, his face dangerously dark. His gaze fixed on Emmett’s hand resting on jordan’s shoulder, his eyes churning with fury.
To ith you.” Maxwell strode forward, his military boots making dull thuds against the ground. Tve been searching for you for three months. If I hadn’t seen your university’s name in that publication, how long were you planning to hide from me?”
Jorden took a deep breath, instinctively moving closer to Emmett- subje movement that made Maxwell’s expression even more ominous
“Colonel Stone,” she addressed him candy, her voice perfectly steady. “Is there something you need?–||
The formal title made Maxwell’s eyebrow with. She had always called him “Max” with such softness before, but now she used this cold, official address.
“Come back with non,” he ached to grab her wrist. Havent you played this game long enough? You didn’t get into college, so what are you doing hanging around a university? tes completely inappropriate. ||
Khuett smoothly stepped in front of Jordan, Sir, please mind your manners.
Maxwell finally gave this scholarly–looking man his fall attention. Despite his gold claimed glasses and academic demeanor. Emmett met his gaze directly, showing not the slightest indination to back down.
“Who are you?” Maxpell’s wor
ty was ite–cold []
“Emmett Calloway, Associate Professor of Luterature at Ashland University,” Emmett adjusted his glasses. “And Jordan’s professor.“]
“Jordan? Hire familiar,” Morwell s
“What kind of jonfessor are you? jordan never got into college. Her arogance letter. You must have deceived her.
He then turned to jordan, his pune suddenly softening, Jordan, stop this nonsense. I know you’re s still angry, Come home with sw. We need to talk.“]
Jurman looked at this man who had une consumed her every thought, and felt nothing no stirring in her heart. She found it almost laughable that after everything, he could still present himself as caring and sincere:||
“Colonel Stone, I believe I made angaril perfectly clear,” she met his eyes directly. “Tim not going back, and i certainly won’t marry you
“Migenver, I think you’ve misunderstood something.”||
Teamed my place at Ashland through my own efforts Alter all, you know perfectly well who truly passed that entrance exam, don’t your ||
Maxwell’s expression froze. He couldn’t believe jordan would speak sa him in such a cold, almost culling toise, or that she would look at him as if he were a complete stranger
You’ve fallen for someone else? He suddenly posted at Esen. Because of him? Now you’re even making up lars about getting uno college you never posted that exame ||
jordan shook her head. “No, this is about me.”
0-
I never needed to depend on anyone to live. I have my own dreams, my own future to purse, Who’s really deceiving themselves here? Don’t you know in your het? Do I really need to show you my student records? |||
Maxwell’s chest heaved, but he shubbornly refused to believe her. He grabbed jordan’s shoulders. “You’re lying! You loved me so much! Come back with me. already said I’d marry you–if you keep this up, aren’t you afraid of losing everything? |
That was before,” Jordan gently fred herself from his grasp. “Now, I don’t love you anymore.“||
Those words struck Maxwell like a dagger in the heart. He staged hack, his Ever asher.||
Impossible…he mombird. “You can possibly not love me.
Emmett stepped forward at the perfect moment. “Mr. Stone, please respect poutan’s choice. ||
Maxwell’s garsuddenly hired vicious Who the hell do you think you are? You’ve got no right to stick
your nose
nose in our businear“]
“Thought” Jordan raised her voice. “Professor Calloway is my benefactor Show some respect. If there’s nothing else, we’re leaving
the deliberately took Emmett’s arm and turned to leave.
“Jordim Hayes!” Maxwell roared behind them. You’ll regret this
Jordan didn’t look back, her spine straight, her steps resolute.
