Seducing My Ex’s Father In Law novel Chapter 564

Judy’s POV

I went to the hospital; I wasn’t sure what compelled me to come here, but Irene spoke to her father last night, and she told me that he had to go to the hospital because something happened with Rachel, and that’s what caused him to miss the graduation ceremony.

I barely managed to finish my speech once that breaking news story got sent to everyone’s phones. My voice had come out hollow, and I could hear the rapid beating of my heart; there was no doubt that everyone else could hear it too. I saw the sympathetic looks of Nan as she watched me struggle to speak.

I apologized and stepped away from the podium, ignoring the scattered claps as I took my seat. My hands were trembling violently, and I couldn’t even look up to meet the wary gazes of my parents, who I knew without a doubt were watching me from across the room. I saw my mother on her phone at one point as well, so I knew she had seen the news story and shared it with my father.

There were a couple more speeches from some of the college faculty, and then the Dean returned to the podium for her final speech before she announced the graduates by name. As she spoke each name, graduates stood and walked up to the stage, grabbed their degrees, and shook the Dean's hand before posing for a picture.

“Nan Bigsby,” the Dean announced.

Nan stood, plastered a smile on her face, and walked onto the stage. Chester was the loudest to cheer, and Nan blushed when he stood up and shouted for her. I wanted to be one of the loudest to cheer for my best friend, but I could barely even move.

I hardly registered what the Dean announced my name. The girl beside me had to nudge me when I made no effort to move.

“Judy Montague,” the Dean announced.

With wobbly legs, I stood and made my way towards the stage. The walk felt like an eternity; though there were clapping and cheering, my parents being amongst the loudest, and Nan and Chester also chanting, I barely heard any of it. To me, the entire place was silent, and the only sounds of my beating heart and breathing could be heard.

I stepped onto the stage, forcing a smile, though I knew it was tired and worn as I took the degree and shook the Dean’s hand.

“Congratulations,” she said just before we posed for a picture.