Page 15 of Depraved

I toss away the panic before it can consume me. I won’t lose my new life as Lena Williams. I’ll find a way to make things right.

I have to.

5

KAROLINA

Istare at my laptop, but words don’t flow from my fingers. Attempting to work on my novel is useless when all I can think about is the shock on Amala’s face when she caught me with Rand only an hour ago.

I stare at my phone, reading the message I sent her for the dozenth time.

Karolina

Can you meet me, please? I need to talk to you.

As though I’ve willed her to finally answer me, her reply fills my screen.

Amala

Where and when?

I suck in a deep breath, but I don’t quite dare to hope she’ll accept the fact that I was kissing my professor.

At least she’s responded. She might give me a chance to explain.

Well, there’s not much I can tell her about the situation. I’m not willing to reveal that Rand is also the online masked man I’ve been talking to for years. That’s too perverse.

And from an outsider’s perspective, I have to acknowledge it’s pretty unhinged that he got a job at University of York just to be with me.

At the very least, I can tell Amala that I know Rand from before our MA started. As he said, our course only lasts a year, and we’re almost the same age. It’s not socially acceptable that we have a relationship, but if I explain to Amala that we have history, it might sway her.

She might agree to keep the secret that could cost me everything.

I harden my resolve and type out another message.

Karolina

Are you free now? I’m at Brownie Bakehouse.

Amala

I can meet you there in half an hour.

Karolina

Thank you.

She reads my text but doesn’t say anything else.

The next thirty minutes will be painful, but at least she’s agreed to talk.

All I can do is hope her kind nature prevails, and she doesn’t come here simply to judge me for my choices.

“Karolina.” A masculine voice says my name, but it’s not Rand.

My entire body locks up tight. No one in York should know who I am.

My stalker is dead.