The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195

Emuna’s POV:

Four years at BU. Four years of working library shifts to pay tuition, tutoring high schoolers on ends,

Four years of nodding at people in hallways, making small talk during group projects, aimbing s bort consed using event logistics and nothing more.

I pulled up my phone’s contact list, scrolling through the names, Olivia. Professor Laurent. The learning group foos Levren’s res & bre student council members whose conversations never went beyond “Can you take notes at the next meeting or ‘Des’t forget the deadi the spring fundraiser.”

That was it. That was my entire social circle at Boston University,

“I don’t understand,” I murmured, staring at the screen. “Where would I even have the time to make enemies?

So who the hell had I pissed off enough to warrant this kind of targeted attack?

Daniel’s arm came around my shoulders, pulling me gently against his side. I went willingly, tacking myself into the curve of his body, breathing in the familiar scent.

“Emma.” His voice was low, steady. “A lot of malice in this world doesn’t have a reason. And even when it does, it’s rarely about the target. It’s about the person doing the attacking.”

I closed my eyes, feeling the vibration of his words against my cheek where it rested on his chest. “But I keep thinking… I must have done something. Said something.”

“No.” His hand moved to my hair, fingers threading through the strands with infinite gentleness. “This isn’t about you. This is about whoever s behind it. Their insecurity. Their jealousy. Their need to tear someone else down to feel powerful.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“Let me handle this,” he murmured against my hair.

“I won’t let them hurt you,” he said softly. “Not while I’m here.”

I pulled back just enough to look up at his face. His expression was calm, but I could see the steel beneath it.

I set down the teacup and turned to face him fully, my hand covering his where it rested on my knee.

“I’m not letting you fight this alone.” I squeezed his hand. “Whatever happens, we face it together.”

I thought about Grace’s words, spoken over tea in her Portland kitchen: Real love isn’t one person protecting the other, sweetheart. It’s two people becoming each other’s harbor.

I turned my face into his palm, pressing a kiss to the center of it. I’m not going to hide behind you, Daniel.

pulling

on Cerca’s poth in Poeting C newing liny a my head of g h

Than land the same as legal. The State of Maine seal chearty visible, along with our names and the t

10

ryone who has seen the malicious post on BU Confessions:

Prodeur Danial Prescott and I have known each other since childhood due to our families long-standing connection. Our relationship developed over years of mutual understanding and respect, having nothing to do with any student-teacher dynamic. We are legally married, and our marriage was registered in Portland, Maine, months app.

I panel, trading the words back to myself.

Thankay typin

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The Forbidden Throb