Exposing His Lies, Burning His Empire

Che

e I' d manage our affairs and he' d conquer the literary world. He called it our "power couple synergy." I called it a gil

e. It was close to his office, low-pressure, and, mos

that we were to act like polite acquaintances. He insisted on it. Said it would avoid "unnecessary gossip" about a prof

t to voicemail, and my messages remained unread. This was typical Donovan be

ed a few, eyes glued to their phones, others nervously clutchi

icated solely to his students' intellectual growth. "N

fectly tousled, a shy smile playing on her lips. She practically

whisper, loud enough for me to hear. "Professor Holden alw

mach clenched. It wasn't just gossip. It was true. I knew it in my gut, in ever

, for just a sliver of the man I thought I knew. I felt a profound sense of

rfectly composed, a stack of papers in his hand. He glanced at the wait

d your signature on the Calloway gr

curtly. "

me to place the papers down. As I did, he leaned in, his voice low.

ays appearances. For him, they matt

tle steadier than it had been coming in. The entire exchange felt like a ba

required me to be there, mingling, making sure everything r

e captivating a circle of younger faculty. Brie was by his side,

k, doing my job. As I passed by a dimly lit private lounge, I heard

van, surrounded by a group of his most favored students and a few junior

undbreaking research!" one stu

ch an inspiring muse!" ano

r eyelashes at Donovan.

shoulder. Then, someone yelled, "A toast! To our favori

sor, will you do the honors?" s

," Donovan replied,

someone shouted. "And a

ptible hesitation from Donovan, they linked arms, their glasses clinking. As they drank, their

. A sharp, burning sensation spread

ntly. A hush fell over the room. Donovan, his eyes still on Brie, slowly turne

to his arm, pulled him back. She looked at me, a triumphant smir

Donovan. Aria, it' s not what it looks like

dy painted on his face. I closed my eyes, a single tear tracing a path down my cheek.