Chapter 21
The two men locked eyes, the air between them crackling with hot day
“Stay the fuck away from Aurelia, o Ell report yout
sto the administration for disrupting classified research and get your ass expelled.”
Isate delivered his threat with ice–cold precision and walked away without waiting for a response.
He’d been wandering rangus after dinner, his mind channing with worry about Aurelia, when he’d ended up at t
Watching Luigi mer and harass her had made star’s blood boll, but he’d faced himself to stay hidden
This was Aurelia’s battle to fight, and she’d probably be murified if she knew he’d witnessed her private breakdown.
So he’d waited in the shadows like a guardian angel, making sure she got inside safely before Luigi could hurt her any more than he already had.
Luigi stared at 1saar’s retreating figure, then looked back up at the durmitory building with desperation clawing at his chest.
“Aurelia, please,” he whispered to the darkness. “Don’t fall for someone else. Not when I finally found you
ou again.”
As a guy, Luigi could read Baar’s intentions from a me away–the protective hovering, the obvious devotion, the way he looked at Aurelia like she was something precious.
And Luigi had no fucking clue how Aurelia felt about any of it.
The uncertainty was eating him alive as he trudged back to his own dorm, feeling like his world was crumbling.
Meanwhile, Aurelia was completely oblivious to the testosterone fueled standoff happening beneath her window.
The moment she collapsed onto her bad, her phone buzzed with a message from Professor Xavier
Take the team to Arizona tomorrow morning. Ell fly directly from Boston to meet you there.
She sent back a quick confirmation and immediately forwarded the details to the graduate student group chat.
As she was closing the app, Luigi’s friend request caught her eye–still sitting there like a persistent stain
Without hesitation, she hit reject and blocked him permanently.
The past was dead and buried. She refused to let anyone drag her backward
Early the next morning. Aurelia assembled the new students for their Arizona expedition, her professional mask firmly in place despite the emotional chaos of the previous right.
Just as they were leading the van Isaac came jogging over with a duffel bag.
Aurelia stepped out of the driver’s seat, immediately concerned. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Her worry was automatic, instinctive–which made Baar’s heart skip despite the circumstances.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he said, slightly breathless. “I got approval from Professor Kavier to assist with this trip. First field research for new stalents–l was worried about you managing everyone alene,
Aurelia felt a rush of relief she hadn’t expected. Professor Xavier had messaged that morning about his Boston research running longer than placed, and she’d been quietly panicking about handling six graduate students solo
Isaac’s presence felt like
e she hadn’t known she needed.
When she moved toward the driver’s seat, a smoothly intercepted her
“Absolutely not. Van full of dudes and you think you’re driving? Passenger seat, boss lady. I’ve got this.”
He said behind the wheel with easy confidence, and despite everything, Aurelia found herself andling as she climbed into thatgan.
Done Eliding as Your Backup Plaything Shining Golden as Queen
Chapter 21
“Everyone, this is Isaac Orlando, one of our senior researchers. He’ll be assisting with the expedition.”
The engine roared to life, and immediately the students started exchanging loaded glances and barely suppressed grins.
Within minutes, someone called out from the back “Yo Isaar, are you trying to get with our TA? Because you two are together like, constantly. Thur’s not normal mentor student energy
“Right? Since we’re all trapped on this campus with zero outside contact, are we supposed to find love within the program now?
The van erupted in laughter and good natured ribbing
Isaac caught Aurelia’s eye in the rearview mirror and grinned. “I mean, I’m definitely interested, but your TA has standards. There’s probably a waiting list of guys trying to date her.”
“Isaac!” Aurelia’s cheeks flushed as she smacked his arm. “You’re being ridiculous.”
Their playful dynamic was obvious to everyone–including Luigi, who was sitting in the back row watching their interaction with
His hands were clenched into fists, his jaw so tight it ached, as he watched the woman he’d spent four years searching for laugh and flirt with another
man.
The casual intimacy between them was like acid in his veins.
One of the other students nudged Luigi, oblivious to the storm brewing beside him.
“Dude, you’ve been dead silent this whole time. What’s your deal?”
your intro that you came here for some girl? Any luck finding her?”
“Didn’t you say in your
“Better move fast, man. The dating pool here is tiny–if you don’t make your move, someone else will snatch her up.”
Luigi’s expression grew progressively darker, his voice coming out strained and barely controlled.
“I already found her.”
