The morning sun cast golden streaks across the university courtyard, but to Caroline, the warmth did little to ease the storm inside her.
She leaned against the railing of the business faculty building, scrolling through her phone, rereading the messages. They had started as simple texts—questions about assignments, casual compliments—but now they carried something unspoken, something dangerous.
Professor Daniel: "Meet me at the Starlight Hotel tonight. Room 306."
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She knew she should ignore it, delete the message, pretend it never happened. But she also knew she wouldn't.
"Thinking about your secret boyfriend?"
Caroline jolted, nearly dropping her phone. Linet, her closest friend—and the last person she wanted to know about this—stood beside her, an eyebrow raised.
"What? No," Caroline scoffed, shoving her phone into her bag. "Just checking emails."
Linet smirked. "Right. Emails that make your face turn red?"
Caroline forced a laugh. "You're imagining things."
But Linet wasn't buying it. "You've been acting weird lately. First, skipping lectures. Now, sneaking around. Spill it."
Caroline shook her head. "There's nothing to spill."
Linet sighed. "Look, if this is about a guy… just be careful. Some people thrive on secrets, but secrets don't stay hidden forever."
Caroline nodded, but the weight in her chest only grew heavier.
That night, as she stepped into Room 306 at the Starlight Hotel, she told herself it would be the last time. That she could walk away.
But as soon as Professor Daniel pulled her into his arms, she knew she was already too deep.