The Stepbrother’s Wager Chapter 03

The Stepbrother’s Wager Chapter 03

The next day, I had to go to campus in person to sign the paperwork for my fellowship.

I wore a mask, pulled the brim of my cap low, and slipped in through a side entrance.

Someone recognized me before I even reached the academic building and deliberately stepped into my path.

“Well, look who it is. Isn’t this the star of the campus message board? How do you still have the nerve to show your face here?”

One of the girls pulled out her phone and pointed the camera at me.

“Everyone take a look. The Whitmore love child decided to come back to campus.”

I raised my hand to block the camera.

She smiled.

“What are you afraid of? Everyone has already seen you naked.”

My fingers began to shake uncontrollably.

The feeling of being stripped bare and judged made it impossible to breathe.

I turned to leave, but someone shoved me from behind.

My backpack fell to the ground, scattering the documents inside. My acceptance letter slid out with them.

One of the girls bent down and picked it up.

“A conservation institute in Helsinki? She’s leaving the country?”

“Can’t stay here anymore, so she’s running away?”

I lunged forward to take it back, but she held it high above her head.

“What’s the rush? Let everyone see it.”

A hand suddenly reached past me and snatched the letter from her.

Julian Bennett was my adviser’s graduate assistant and was known throughout the department for his aloof, unreadable demeanor.

He handed the letter back to me before turning to the group.

“Sharing intimate images without someone’s consent is illegal. Posting and circulating someone’s private information can also expose you to criminal charges.”

“I recorded everything you just did.”

The girls’ expressions changed immediately.

“What does any of this have to do with you?”

Julian answered calmly.

“I’m responsible for helping her complete the fellowship process.”

“If you interfere with her paperwork, I’ll turn the recording over to the dean’s office and campus police.”

The crowd finally dispersed.

I lowered my head and stuffed the documents back into my bag. My voice was hoarse when I spoke.

“Thank you.”

Julian glanced at me.

“You don’t need to thank me. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

It was such a simple statement, yet my eyes immediately began to burn.

For days, everyone had demanded to know why I had been so shameless, why I had agreed to sleep with Ethan, and why I had ever gotten involved with him.

Julian was the only person who had said I was not the one at fault.

I fought back my tears and went to the office to sign all the paperwork.

My adviser noticed that something was wrong and let out a quiet sigh.

“You were originally supposed to leave next week, but the fellowship moved up its start date. Can you make a predawn flight the day after tomorrow?”

I froze.

That was five days earlier than planned.

I did not hesitate.

“Yes.”

My adviser nodded approvingly.

“Leave this place behind, Ivy. Don’t let these people destroy you.”

It was already dark by the time I left campus.

I had barely reached the bus stop when several men blocked my path.

The man in front held up his phone. The leaked images filled the screen.

He gave me a filthy grin.

“That’s you in those pictures, isn’t it? A girl the Hawthorne heir already fucked must be one hell of a ride.”

I took a step back, my palms slick with cold sweat.

He reached for me, but I jerked away.

“Don’t touch me!”

The men closed in around me.

“Don’t act so innocent. Those pictures are all over the internet.”

My trembling fingers closed around the personal safety alarm inside my bag, and I was about to press it when a pair of headlights suddenly swept over us.

The glare made the men squeeze their eyes shut.

Ethan charged out of the car and punched the man in front square in the face.

“Who the hell gave you the nerve to touch her?”

The men recognized him and scrambled away in terror.

Ethan turned toward me, and the concern on his face looked genuine.

“Ivy, are you okay?”

I stepped back, and he froze.

“I just… wanted to protect you.”

I looked at him, then turned and walked away.

Rain streamed down my cheeks until I could no longer tell whether it was rain or tears.