Page 134 of Broken Vows

A+

For a moment, I just stare at it.

The mark sits at the top of the page, and my stomach twists.

Something has felt off lately.

Now I know.

There’s no possible way this paper should be anywhere near an A.

I pick it up and wait until the hallway noise fades a little before pushing back my chair and walking to his desk.

“Paul,” I say quietly, placing the paper in front of him. “I didn’t earn this.”

He looks up sharply and the look in his eyes stops me cold.

“I know I didn’t,” I add, softer now.

“Look, I don’t want any trouble.” He glances toward the door. I follow his gaze, then look back at him, unease prickling at the back of my neck.

I frown. “What?”

“I was too hard on you before.” His voice is shaky. “I know that. I’m sorry. It’s just…women think they can leave good men and start over whenever they feel like it. After twenty years, they just⁠—”

He cuts himself off and swallows.

“My wife left me last year. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I know that now. I’m sorry, Carmen.”

For a second, I don’t know what to say. It makes sense—I knew he had it out for me. I feel relieved it wasn’t all in my head, but that doesn’t make it right. I take a deep breath.

“It’s fine,” I say, even though it isn’t. “I just want a fair mark. That’s all. You don’t need to do this.”

Paul looks down at the assignment but doesn’t touch it.

“He said better than fair.”

Everything in me stills.

“Who said that?”

His throat moves. “The guy you sent.”

“I didn’t send anyone.”

The words are automatic, but as I say them, an uneasy feeling twists in my gut.

“A big man with dark hair…a gold earring?” I say, touching my fingers to my ear.

Paul flinches.

That’s answer enough.

“He told me not to tell anyone,” he says, his voice cracking. “He put a knife to my neck. I don’t want to die, Carmen. Please.”

For a moment, I can’t move. I’m completely horrified.

“It’s okay,” I say, forcing warmth into my voice. “He’s not going to do anything. I promise. I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to him…but fair marks from now on. Nothing more, nothing less. I’ll deal with him.”