The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 104

Chapter Chapter 104

“Fine, Landline, I said automatically. “Just… a message from a classmate.”

Lopened to opened Instagram with trembling fingers. The Story I’d posted yesterday- pes photos documentin

the time.

The harbor The harbor at sunset. The violin exhibition. That gorgeous lobster dinner at Then The Lobster Shack. Th

And one photo-just one-where you could see a reflection in the glasshe glass..

A man’s silhouette. Dark sweater. Tall frame.

My throat constricted.

I switched to the BU Confessions forum, and there it was: my sceny screenshots, reposted for everyone to

ht, glinting sofgiinting softly as

“Isn’t this Emma Johnson from the journalism program? Didn’t Dodd know she was a secret heiress lof

“That restaurant looks expensive af. And Hampton Inn oceanview canview suite? Girl’s got MONEY

air fe dans hair fell just slightly

“Wait, who’s the mystery man in the reflection?uction?”

assitadfpa classical painting-all

“Moving on fast. Good for her I guess.”

My hands went cold.

Another message from Lily appeared: Dont worry toworry too much, Emma! Everyone’s just curious.

I was just documenting my trip, I thought, langitchbox of bewilderment and frustration rising in my chest

into… this.

I took a breath and reminded myself of the on the simple truth: I’m not a celebrity.

I didn’t owe these people expipintopistions.

My thumb moved quickly, deliberatelberately blocked the accounts making crude suggestions and

Daniel dropped me oft near CT near Coushonwealth Avenue as dusk settled over campus.

got shared to the BU Confessions

Professor Laurent had sent to see three emails while I was gone reminders about graduation materials. submissions. Daniel ad perivad patients wanting at Mass General

We’d said e qunk gondey bodne before he drove off toward the hospital

I was lost i lys in cheught when Duvia appeared out of nowhere, grabbing my arm.

Ensur Fusin Somme qui Wy well to go to shuts right now,

8:47 am P

Chapter 104

“Fine,” I said automatically. “Just… a message from a classmate.”

I opened Instagram with trembling fingers. The Story I’d posted yesterday-six photos documenting the Portland trip-had seemed harmless at

the time.

The harbor at sunset. The violin exhibition. That gorgeous lobster dinner at The Lobster Shack. The suite’s window view at Hampton Inn.

And one photo-just one-where you could see a reflection in the glass.

A man’s silhouette. Dark sweater. Tall frame.

My throat constricted.

I switched to the BU Confessions forum, and there it was: my screenshots, reposted for everyone to dissect.

“Isn’t this Emma Johnson from the journalism program? Didn’t know she was a secret heiress lol”

“That restaurant looks expensive af. And Hampton Inn oceanview suite? Girl’s got MONEY”

“Wait, who’s the mystery man in the reflection?”

“Moving on fast. Good for her I guess.”

My hands went cold.

Another message from Lily appeared: *Don’t worry too much, Emma! Everyone’s just curious. *

I was just documenting my trip, I thought, a mix of bewilderment and frustration rising in my chest. I didn’t think posting a few photos would turn

into… this.

I took a breath and reminded myself of the simple truth: I’m not a celebrity.

I didn’t owe these people explanations.

T

My thumb moved quickly, deliberately. I blocked the accounts making crude suggestions and logged out entirely.

Daniel dropped me off near Commonwealth Avenue as dusk settled over campus.

Professor Laurent had sent three emails while I was gone-reminders about graduation materials, thesis deadlines, and final portfoliu submissions. Daniel had patients waiting at Mass General.

We’d said a quick goodbye before he drove off toward the hospital.

I was still lost in thought when Olivia appeared out of nowhere, grabbing my arm.

Emma! Finally! Come on, we need to go to Marciano Commons right now.

8:47 am

P

Chapter 104

“What? Why?”

“Trust me. Major tea.

I barely had time to drop my bag in our room before she was pulling me across campus toward the dining hall. We grabbed salads and sandwiches, settling into a corner booth near the windows.

“So what’s this about?” I asked, spearing a cherry tomato.

Olivia’s eyes gleamed. “Listen.”

At the table beside us, two business school guys were deep in animated conversation. The heavier one leaned forward, voice low but audible.

“I’m telling you, the SEC investigation is just the beginning. They found systematic fraud at that tech company-NovaTech. Every quarterly

report was fabricated.”

The taller one nodded enthusiastically. “Dude deserved it. All that VC money, and it was just fake growth the whole time. FBI’s involved now.

“And that’s not even the worst part. Guy was a complete tyrant-no Thanksgiving off, Christmas overtime for fake project deadlines.”

“I heard he made male employees run personal errands. Female employees had to go to client dinners with him.”

My stomach turned.

Robert Williams-my stepfather. His company. The one he’d been so proud of, the one that justified his condescending attitude toward everyone he deemed beneath him.

Olivia and I locked eyes across the table.

Her face had gone slightly pink. “Emma, I… I didn’t realize-”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly.

Thick skin, big ego, and you can fool everyone, I thought, echoing Olivia’s earlier words.

We finished our meal in uncomfortable silence.

By the time we left the dining hall, twilight had deepened into full darkness.

The campus paths were lit by old-fashioned lampposts, casting long shadows across the brick walkways. We were almost of Witzen Eswers

when I spotted a familiar figure standing beneath the trees near the entrance.

Just a glimpse of that well-dressed silhouette and my body recognized her before my mind did

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