Chapter 73
Teacher – Taboo
It wasn’t big, but it was unmistakable.
My breath caught in my throat.
Ariana stood in front of me, shaking, her eyes full of anger, sadness, and something else I couldn’t quite place. Then, before I could say a word, she broke down,
Her fists pounded against my chest as sobs wracked her small frame.
I was frozen, too shocked to move, too guilty to defend myself.
Reality crashed over me.
This wasn’t a lie.
This wasn’t a trick.
Ariana was pregnant.
And the baby was mine.
“You left me!” she sobbed, her small hands hitting me over and over. “You ignored me p>
I barely had time to process it before her mother’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
“You must be close to my daughter, Mr… Richard p>
My throat felt dry. I forced myself to look at her mother, at the sharpness in her gaze.
“I think she’s carrying my child,” I admitted.
Silence. Heavy, suffocating silence.
“Excuse me?” Her mother’s voice turned razor–sharp.
Ariana wiped her face with her sleeve and turned to her mother. “Mom… the baby is his.” She sniffled, before turning back to me “I’m sorry… I forgot to take my contraceptive that night p>
Her mother went completely still.
Then, her expression changed. Hardened.
“Mr. Richard,” she said slowly, her voice deadly calm. “Have you been fucking my daughter p>
The words hit like a slap, but I didn’t flinch. “I love your daughter p>
Her mother’s nostrils flared. “How old are you p>
“Thirty–five p>
“You’re her teacher p>
“I know how this looks,” I admitted. “I know it makes me seem like a predator. But I swear to you, I love her p>
Her mother’s hands curled into fists, shaking with rage. “I’m calling the police. I’m calling the school. You’re going to lose your job p>
“Mom, please!” Ariana cried. “I’m legal! I’m nineteen! And I love him p>
“He ruined your life p>
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Terichas
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“No,” Ariana shot back, her voice cracking. “I made my own choices! I still have dreams, Mom. But I need to raise this child p>
Her mother took a step back, shaking her head. “No. No, this is insane p>
Then, before I could stop her, Ariana did something that made my blood turn to ice.
She grabbed a knife.
“If you call the police,” her voice trembled, “I’ll kill myself‘
“Ariana!” I stepped forward, heart pounding. “Put the knife down p>
“Tell my mom to drop the damn phone.” Her teary eyes met mine, pleading. “I love you, Richard. I know you tried to stay away from me… but it’s too late. We’re having this baby, and we’re staying together p>
My chest tightened.
A tense silence stretched between us.
Her mother, still gripping her phone, exhaled sharply. “What’s your plan for my daughter, Mr. Richard p>
I swallowed. There was only one way out of this.
“I’ll resign,” I said. “I’ll take Ariana with me to Chicago. We’ll get married tomorrow and start over–if you’ll let me p>
Her mother’s lip curled in disgust. “Bullshit p>
Then, she let out a long, tired sigh.
“Fine,” she muttered. “I’ll find someone to witness your marriage. Book a flight. Ariana leaves with you after the wedding p>
Ariana broke down into sobs. “Mom p>
Her mother shook her head. “Not now. Mr Richard you need to leave, I need to talk to my daughter.” I looked at Ariana, ashamed of myself I walked out through the door.
That night, I sent in my resignation email, booked the earliest flight to Chicago, and laid in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Blaming myself.
Ariana’s POV:
That night, I sat on my bed, hugging my knees to my chest. The house was too quiet. My mom hadn’t said a word to me since Richard left. I knew she was still hurting. I had said some horrible things to her before, things I wished I could take back.
Taking a deep breath, I walked to her bedroom door and knocked.
“Mom?” My voice was soft.
No answer.
I tried again. “Mom, please… Can we talk p>
A long silence. Then, finally, the door creaked open.
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She stood there, arms crossed, her face tired and puffy from crying. “What is there to talk about, Ariana? You’ve already made your choice p>
“I know… but I still need you.” I swallowed, my eyes burning. “I don’t want to leave with things like this between us p>
Her shoulders tensed, but she stepped aside, letting me in
I sat on her bed while she leaned against the dresser, arms still folded.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Mom. For everything. For breaking your heart. For yelling at you. For saying that… that I wished you had died instead of Dad.” My voice cracked. “I didn’t mean it. I swear p>
Tears slipped down her face, but she quickly wiped them away. “You hurt me, Ariana. You really did p>
“I know.” My chest ached. “And I’ll regret it forever p>
She sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. “I just don’t understand, baby. He’s so much older than you. He was your teacher p>
“I’m legal,” I said, for what felt like the hundredth time. “I’m not a kid. I love him, Mom. And I’m going to raise this baby with him. I’ll figure out my future p>
She shook her head. “You don’t even know what the future looks like, Ariana. You’re nineteen. How are you going to balance being a mother and chasing your dreams p>
“I’ll find a way,” I insisted. “Other young moms do it. Why can’t I p>
She sat beside me, her fingers twisting in her lap. “I just… I wanted more for you p>
11
I took her hand. “Mom, I’m not throwing my life away. I promise. I still have dreams. I still want to do something with my life. But I can’t turn my back on my baby. I won’t p>
D
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.