ᴇQᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴇʀᴀɴɢᴇᴅ

𝟭𝟮

Dedicated To Toniaa_2 And moonpiesyum ❤️🖤

"Just on time," Tia said with a grin as I walked in. I could feel Professor Cunningham's gaze on me, sharp and lingering. His eyes seemed to follow my every move as I took my seat beside her, the tension in the air palpable. During class, I caught him glancing at me repeatedly, his gaze unsettling in its intensity. Honestly, it was starting to get on my nerves, his silent scrutiny growing more and more unbearable.

When he finally went on his phone, I felt my own phone vibrate softly against my thigh. Skillfully, I checked it without anyone noticing.

Stay back after this lecture.

The message sent a shiver down my spine. My mind raced, knowing exactly what I had to do. This was my chance to end whatever had been brewing between us—whatever toxic connection we had.

After class, I took my time packing up, letting everyone else leave before I stood and told Tia, "I'll come over to your house later." It was my way of buying time, of preparing for what I had to do next.

I walked towards his desk, and as I approached, he grabbed me suddenly, forcefully pushing me onto the edge of his desk. He tried to wrap my legs around him, the move predatory, as if this was something that could still happen.

"No, don't," I said sternly, my voice steady despite the surge of fear rising in me. "I don't want to do this anymore."

Liar.

His grip tightened, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. "What? Excuse me?" he growled, his hand pressing into my thigh with painful force.

I grimaced, trying not to show how much it hurt. He grabbed my chin, his fingers digging into my skin, forcing me to look into his eyes.

"Repeat that!" he demanded, his voice now dripping with venom.

"I think it's best if we stopped this," I said, motioning between us with my hands, trying to put some distance, trying to make him understand. "I have a boyfriend now, and Mauri's my friend, and I—"

"Shut the fuck up. That never stopped you before. Why now?" he interrupted, tightening his grip on my chin, his tone dangerous, threatening.

I lowered my eyes to the floor, unable to meet his gaze any longer.

"Look at me. FUCKING LOOK AT ME!" he shouted, the force of his words making me flinch, my heart racing in my chest.

"This isn't over until I say it's over. Got it?" His words were a low, guttural promise, filled with rage.

I didn't answer. Instead, he snapped, gripping my throat, choking me, his fingers digging into the soft skin of my neck.

"DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND?" he yelled, his voice trembling with fury.

I nodded furiously, the desperation in my movements clear. I had no choice.

"I'm sure you don't want to be homeless, and those little checks you're getting every month will stop too," he sneered, his words dripping with malice.

I had already stopped spending the money he sent me. I had gathered it all in an envelope, ready to return it.

He released my throat, spinning away from me, and in that moment, I seized my chance. I grabbed my bag, pulling out the envelope and his apartment key, slamming both onto his desk with a defiant movement.

"Here," I said, my voice steady, unwavering. "I'm done with you. I don't want anything to do with you, and if you ever try to talk to me again, I'll tell Mauri about us."