The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 193

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The depth wzwed to the with urgency, each notification a tiny detonation in the quiet morning.

Sy forge bored over the screen, trembling slightly as I began to scroll

Orria’s te dominated the list-thirty-two messages in rapid succession, the timestamps showing they’d come in bursts throughout the night

Emma LOOK AT BU CONFESSIONS

Is that you in the photo??

Oh my god the comments are BRUTAL

Call me when you see this

My stomach dropped. I kept scrolling, seeing Professor Laurent’s name appear thirteen times in the department group chat, each message tagging me with increasing urgency.

The student council work chat showed 99+ notifications. Several classmates had sent private messages, their tone carefully neutral, probing.

‘Emma?”

Daniel’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. I looked up to find him standing beside me, dish towel still in hand, his expression shifting from gentle concern to sharp alertness in the span of a heartbeat.

“What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t speak. My throat had closed up, my mouth dry. Instead, I turned the phone toward him, watching his eyes scan the screen.

His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “When did these start coming in?”

‘I don’t know. I- My voice came out hoarse. “I had my phone on silent last night.”

Daniel set down the towel with deliberate care, his movements controlled. “May I?”

I nodded, handing him the phone. He took it, his fingers warm where they brushed against mine, and began scrolling with methodical precision.

I watched his face, searching for any crack in his composure, but he remained infuriatingly calm, his eyes moving across the screen with the same focused attention he probably gave to surgical charts.

After what felt like an eternity, he looked up. “BU Confessions first?

MAKkki Harvard Prud spotted with BU Mudent in late nigin fenderous Wife at home while hes on camtapus?

:gl/whispered my hand ying g my

Price Care taid only shenolderse, tradeying me. “Just a puno, he murmured, but his voice held an edge id nerves terand belone. Lats

He scrolled down, and I immediately wished he hadn’t.

The comments week,

Wearing a wedding ring while hooking up with a student? That’s disgusting on a whole new level

So the loving husband’ act at the lecture was just cover for his affairs, Classic manipulation

Another young girl homewrecking for money and status. Absolutely shameless

Each word felt like a physical blow. My vision blurred, and I realized I was holding my breath.

Daniel’s hand moved to the back of my neck, his thumb stroking gently, “Keep breathing, baby.”

1 forced air into my lungs, but the comments kept coming, each one worse than the last.

What’s her angle? A 30-year-old Harvard professor, chief of cardiac surgery, Prescott family heir-if she plays it right, she could replace the wife

Someone had dug through my Instagram. Screenshots of my recent photos appeared in the thread-me carrying my Chloé Drew bag, the Cartier Love bracelet on my wrist clearly visible.

Suddenly everything’s designer, Wonder where the money’s coming from

My hands were shaking now, a fine tremor I couldn’t control. Daniel noticed, setting the phone down and turning me to face him.

Emma Look at me:

My by o

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The Forbidden Throb