Forbidden Pages

Chapter 17: Cracks in the Facade

The next few days passed in a blur of assignments, exams, and stolen glances. Emma was acutely aware of how fragile their situation had become, especially after her close call with Sarah. Every moment spent together now felt tinged with a quiet urgency, a sense that the ground beneath them was beginning to shift.

On a particularly rainy afternoon, Emma made her way to the library, where she and Ryland had planned to meet briefly to go over an idea she'd had for her final project. She slipped into their usual spot at the far end of the third floor, her mind racing as she thought of seeing him again, even if only for a few minutes.

When she arrived, she found him already there, waiting, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he caught sight of her.

"Hey," he murmured, his gaze soft.

"Hey," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she slid into the chair across from him. She was about to launch into her idea when he reached over, his hand covering hers in a quick, comforting squeeze.

"Missed you," he said, his tone low, meant only for her.

Emma felt her cheeks warm, a thrill running through her at his words. "Me too."

They sat there in comfortable silence, savoring the stolen moment, but Emma noticed that Ryland seemed distracted. His gaze kept flickering to the door, his jaw tense, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the table. She frowned, leaning in.

"Is everything okay?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Ryland hesitated, glancing around as if to make sure no one was watching before he spoke. "Emma, I—there's something I need to tell you. Something happened yesterday."

Emma's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding settling over her. "What is it?"

He sighed, his gaze steady but laced with tension. "I think... someone saw us together last night. I'm not sure, but when I was leaving the library, one of the other professors gave me a look. A knowing one."

Emma's stomach twisted, her heart racing as the implications sank in. "Are you saying... they suspect something?"

Ryland nodded, his expression grim. "I can't say for certain. But it was enough to make me worry."

Emma's mind raced, every nerve on edge. She'd known that their relationship came with risks, but the thought of someone discovering them—especially a fellow professor—left her feeling exposed, vulnerable.

"What do we do?" she asked, her voice barely steady.

Ryland's hand tightened around hers. "For now, nothing. We stay careful, keep our distance in public. But Emma... if things get worse, we may have to... reconsider."

The weight of his words settled over her like a cloud. She knew what he was saying, knew that he was trying to protect her, but the thought of ending things, of giving up everything they'd built, felt unbearable.

"Reconsider?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryland's expression softened, his gaze filled with regret. "Emma, I don't want to put you at risk. If anyone found out... you could lose everything. And I couldn't live with myself if that happened."

Emma swallowed, fighting the tears that threatened to spill over. She'd known that their relationship came with risks, that they were playing a dangerous game, but she hadn't realized just how fragile it all was until now.

"I don't want to lose you," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion.

Ryland reached across the table, his hand cupping her cheek in a gesture that was both tender and full of resolve. "We'll find a way, Emma. But we have to be careful. Promise me?"

She nodded, her heart heavy. "I promise."

They sat there, each clinging to the other as the weight of their situation pressed down on them. The world outside continued on, oblivious to the storm brewing between them, but Emma felt a quiet determination settle over her. No matter the risks, she wasn't ready to let go. Not yet.

The Following Day

Emma tried to focus on her studies, but her mind kept drifting back to her conversation with Ryland. She replayed his words over and over, the fear and regret in his eyes, the way he'd spoken as if their relationship was slipping through their fingers. She knew he was right, that they couldn't afford any mistakes, but the thought of losing him felt like a weight pressing down on her chest.

That afternoon, as she walked across campus, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance—Professor Harding, one of Ryland's colleagues. He was speaking with Sarah, who looked slightly uncomfortable as she listened, her gaze darting around as if searching for an escape.

Emma's stomach twisted as she watched them, a sense of dread settling over her. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but the way Professor Harding leaned in, his expression serious, made her heart race.

As she hurried past, hoping to go unnoticed, she heard her name.

"Emma!"

She turned, forcing a smile as Sarah approached, her expression filled with curiosity.

"Hey, I was just talking with Professor Harding," Sarah said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "He was asking about you."

Emma's pulse quickened. "Oh? Why?"

Sarah shrugged, glancing over her shoulder before lowering her voice. "I'm not sure, but... he seemed curious. He asked if you were spending a lot of time in the library, and if you'd been working with any of the professors."

Emma's heart skipped a beat, panic settling in. She forced a casual laugh, hoping to deflect the question. "I mean, I've been studying a lot. Finals, you know?"

Sarah nodded, seeming satisfied, but Emma could tell that her friend wasn't entirely convinced. "Yeah, but... just be careful, okay? I don't want anyone thinking something's up."

Emma managed a tight smile, her mind racing. "Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate it."

As soon as Sarah walked away, Emma felt the weight of the situation settle over her. Professor Harding's questions, the way he'd singled her out—it all felt too close, too personal. She knew that their secret was beginning to crack, that their once-private world was becoming more and more exposed.

That Evening

Emma met Ryland at his apartment, her heart heavy with the fear and uncertainty that had been building all day. He greeted her with a reassuring smile, pulling her into his arms as soon as she stepped inside.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his gaze filled with concern.

She took a deep breath, explaining everything that had happened—Professor Harding's questions, Sarah's suspicion, the way everything seemed to be closing in around them.

Ryland listened, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. "Emma, I don't want to put you through this. It's not fair."

She shook her head, her voice filled with quiet resolve. "I knew the risks, Ryland. I chose this."

He sighed, his hand brushing over her cheek. "I don't want you to lose everything because of me."

Emma reached up, wrapping her arms around him, pulling him close. "Then we'll just have to be more careful. I'm not giving this up. Not us."

They held each other in the quiet of his apartment, their connection a silent promise that they would face whatever challenges lay ahead. But as they stood there, Emma couldn't shake the sense that their world was beginning to close in, that their once-private love was becoming something they could no longer contain.

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Emma is nearing a breaking point. Will their love withstand the challenges they face?