Anovel of My motherś ex chapter 16 by authoress
The soft hum of the air conditioner filled Julian’s office, mingling with the distant chatter of students in the hall. Julian sat at his desk, fingers steepled in front of his lips, while Tommy (Julian best friend and a colleague) leaned against the doorframe, coffee in hand.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Tommy said, eyeing his colleague with concern.
“It feels worse than that,” Julian muttered, his voice low. He took a deep breath, hesitating before continuing. “Victoria Carter kissed me.”
Tommy’s coffee cup froze mid-air. “Wait—what? Victoria Carter?”
“Yes,” Julian confirmed. “And that’s not the worst part. Less than an hour later… her daughter kissed me.”
Tommy’s jaw dropped, his shock evident. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were,” Julian said, rubbing his temples. “I didn’t even know Victoria had a daughter until yesterday when I saw them talking together.”
“She has a daughter! I thought it was all boys?” Tommy asked his eyes wide with shock.
“She does” Julian replied “a very pretty girl who looks almost just like Victoria was when we were kids. She is a bit psycho like Victoria too”
“Are you absolutely sure it’s her?” Tommy asked, his tone serious. “Victoria Carter, the same woman from your past?”
Julian nodded grimly. “It’s her. I’d know her anywhere. And now, her daughter is one of my students—Rylee Carter.”
Tommy let out a low whistle, pacing the room. “Julian, this is bad news. Really bad. You’re caught in a dangerous web, and it’s only going to get worse if you’re not careful.”
Julian leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. “I don’t know what to do, Tommy. I’ve tried to keep my distance, but Rylee keeps seeking me out, and Victoria… she’s back.”
“Listen to me,” Tommy said, his voice firm. “You need to stay as far away from both of them as possible. Don’t let yourself get dragged into their mess. Remember what happened thirty years ago?”
Julian’s gaze darkened, memories rushing back like a tidal wave.
⏰Flashback to 1994
The late afternoon sun bathed the college campus in golden light as Julian and Victoria strolled hand in hand. They had just opened their acceptance letters to the same university, and their excitement was electric.
“I still can’t believe it,” Victoria—Tori—said, her laughter bubbling like a melody. “We’re actually going to college together. It feels like a dream.”
Julian grinned, his eyes never leaving her face. “It’s not a dream. It’s our future. I told you we’d make it, didn’t I?”
That evening, they celebrated with dinner at a quaint Italian bistro before heading to the nearby lake. The water shimmered under the moonlight, and the air was filled with the gentle hum of crickets.
They waded into the cool water, splashing and laughing like carefree children. Then, as the world seemed to pause around them, Julian pulled Victoria close, his hands brushing her wet hair from her face.
“I love you, Tori,” he whispered, his voice trembling with sincerity. “I always have, and I always will.”
Victoria’s eyes filled with tears as she smiled. “I love you too, Julian. Forever.”
Their lips met in a kiss that sealed their promises, and under the blanket of stars, they undressed each other made love for the first time, their hearts full of hope and dreams for the future.
Present Day💅
The classroom buzzed with activity as students packed up their belongings, but Rylee lingered at her desk, her eyes fixed on Professor Julian.
“Professor Drake,” she called softly, standing as he approached the door.
He stopped but didn’t look at her. “Yes, Miss Carter?”
“I need to talk to you,” she said, stepping closer.
Julian’s expression hardened. “This isn’t the time or place, Rylee.”
“Please,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “I just want to understand—”
“There’s nothing to understand,” he interrupted, his tone clipped.
“But—”
Julian turned abruptly, his movement brushing against her shoulder. It was enough to send her off balance, and before he could react, Rylee crumpled to the floor.
“Rylee!” he exclaimed, kneeling beside her. Her face was pale, and her breathing shallow.
Without hesitation, Julian scooped her up and carried her out of the classroom, ignoring the curious stares of students as he made his way to the campus medical center.
The sterile white walls of the hospital room felt suffocating as Julian sat by Rylee’s bedside, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. When her eyes finally fluttered open, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
“Professor?” she murmured, her voice barely audible.
“I’m here,” he said softly. “You fainted. The doctor said it was due to exhaustion and low blood sugar. He would fill you in on the cause of these symptoms.”
Rylee tried to sit up, but Julian gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “You need to rest.”
She looked at him, her gaze searching his face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” he asked, his brows furrowing.
“For… causing trouble,” she said, her voice breaking.
Julian shook his head, his expression softening. “You didn’t cause trouble, Rylee. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have dismissed you like that.”
He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out an envelope. “This is for you,” he said, placing it on the bedside table.
Rylee’s eyes widened. “What is it?”
“Consider it compensation,” Julian said, his tone firm. “For everything I’ve put you through.”
She stared at the envelope but made no move to take it. “I don’t want your money, you haven’t put me through anything” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Take it,” he insisted. “And promise me you’ll focus on your health.”
Rylee looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. In that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.
“Why do you care so much about me?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“I am just being nice. I’m not normally this way” Julian responded
“I don’t understand why I feel this way whenever I’m near you” Rylee said as she bore her bright aqua blue eyes at him.
Julian’s expression hardened, and he stood abruptly. “Rest, Rylee. That’s all that matters right now.”
He turned to leave, his steps quick and purposeful, but as he reached the door
“I think I’m in love with you”
He froze……