“A glass of water is more preferred, it will help you see things more clearly, don’t you think?” he said, making way for Susan to walk up to her and hand her the glass of water and anagelsic.She looked at him with her eyes squinted and nodded, grabbing the glass from the tray and taking the anagelsic. The water aided her parched throat, but for the headache she would still need to wait a while. Susan helped her relax at the head of the bed, and at her request passed her phone to her, before turning to leave. She opened her phone to see the texts asking why she wasn’t at work already, and it was then it was her: they planned to spend the day together and have a farewell dinner.“Oh shit! I am supposed to be at work right now. I have to meet my friends". Her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her, and with a little relief she felt she attempted to stand up and get dressed."What happened last night?" His voice was low, a dangerous growl simmering beneath the surface.Ashleigh st
After the confrontation, an uncomfortable silence settled between Adrian and Ashleigh. Adrian decided to spare Larry and the other staff from termination, as Ashleigh had requested, and departed for an extended business trip that same evening, before Ashleigh returned from her farewell party. The house felt emptier than usual for Ashleigh, and unable to bear the embarrassment, she decided to move into the hostel permanently, instructing Susan to pack her belongings accordingly.As they arrived at Robin College, Susan announced, "We have arrived, Madame."Ashleigh looked up from her device to see the college gates, marking the first verification point, where security would check her admission letter and orientation slip. Susan offered to handle the check-in process, but Ashleigh declined.“That won't be necessary, Susan. I'm the student, after all. There's nothing special about me." She unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car, walking up to the security building to check hers
It was the next morning, and as part of her usual routine, Ashleigh woke up at 6 am, feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. The silence as she got ready felt different; typically, Susan would assist her and update her on the morning's developments, while Mr. Atkinson would only appear for urgent matters. As Ashleigh approached her dresser, she carefully selected a pair of accessories and a simple necklace. However, when she reached the ring box, she hesitated.Her gaze softened as she opened the box, revealing the wedding ring with a delicate chain attached. Memories flooded back of Adrian placing it on her neck, insisting she wear it at all times. She also recalled their last conversation, which left a heaviness in her heart."Is it necessary to wear the ring now?" she pondered, holding the box up to eye level and studying the sparkling princess-cut diamond.After a moment, she decided she didn't need to carry the identity of someone who didn't reciprocate. After all, she alre
Ashleigh entered the grand conference hall, a centerpiece of the college known for its imposing architecture. The high ceilings and expansive space left her in awe. Sunlight streamed through the large glass windows, bathing the room in a warm glow. The hardwood floor, polished to a high gloss, reflected the light, and the echoes of footsteps filled the space as students settled into their cushioned seats.Ashleigh took her place among the other students, facing the stage where a podium bearing the college’s logo stood prominently. Behind the podium, a row of chairs was occupied by department and school officers, and a massive screen displayed the college’s name in elegant cursive. Contrary to her expectations, only a small number of students had gathered for the program. A tall, middle-aged woman in a suit approached the podium and began the orientation."Good day, new students! Welcome to the orientation program designed for you to meet your faculty members and advisors, who you’ll b
My contract love storyChapter 50Edit1,712 / 5,000Chapter 50The chill that Cassidy’s words sent through Ashleigh’s heart became more than a mere shiver—it turned into a bone-deep truth she would come to understand fully. The days following the orientation were a whirlwind for Ashleigh. Between her newly commenced classes and a mountain of coursework that loomed over her with the mid-semester exams just two weeks away, she also had to contend with the icy, indifferent attitudes of her classmates. The biochemistry department she had joined was the largest in the department's history, with fifty students, her inclusion being the final count. The senior classes, by contrast, had fewer than twenty students each. Despite their small numbers, the collective presence of these students was overwhelming, their attitudes creating a palpable sense of exclusion.From the moment she arrived, it was clear that Ashleigh was not welcome. Her classmates made it apparent through their actions and di
As the timer began, the work commenced. While some students struggled with the problem, others worked quietly. For Ashleigh’s group, it was a mix of confusion and cooperation, with some members unsure of the next steps but receiving help from those more knowledgeable. Ashleigh chose to work silently, preferring to compare answers later rather than risk making a mistake and incurring the wrath of her group.An hour into the session, Professor Patel and the lab assistants moved around, checking progress and offering guidance. After an intense period of beakers clinking and pipettes working, a group finished and confidently submitted their results. Diane submitted their work to Professor Patel, and the class watched enviously as she returned to her seat. Alana, seated in the middle, wore a small smirk of satisfaction.As the other groups completed their submissions, Ashleigh’s group finished second to last. When Professor Patel began reviewing the submissions, the tension was palpable.“
Ashleigh smiled and replied, “Thank you.” Alana then grabbed Cameron’s hand, signaled to the others at the back, and turned to leave. Samantha and Diane didn’t miss the chance to shoot her fierce looks as they departed, and soon after, the rest followed suit. The guy from earlier, along with other students from Ashleigh’s row, gathered around her once the classroom had emptied. She looked at them in confusion. “Ashleigh, why did you do that?” the boys questioned, their frustration evident. “Their work was incorrect, and I merely pointed it out to the professor,” she explained, which only seemed to heighten his frustration. “I know that! But why did you handle it like that? You could have simply met with the professor privately and explained your observations. Instead, you did it publicly. You’ve attracted Alana’s attention, and this is the first time someone has scored higher than her. Now, she’s in last place. Don’t you see the issue?” he countered, and Ashleigh narrowed her
The next morning, Ashleigh awoke to the sound of phone buzzing as Professor Patel announced the final scores for the test. Alana and her group had landed in second-to-last place, a position that, to Ashleigh, seemed like a small victory—at least they hadn’t come in last. When she saw her own workbook posted with Professor Patel's notes and explanations, a smile spread across her face. It was a great start to the day, though she was blissfully unaware of the challenges awaiting her.The day before, Alana had returned home in a state of mortification. She couldn’t believe she had overlooked such a crucial detail in her work, and the public correction had stung deeply. Cameron’s argument had only intensified the humiliation, making it seem as if she was unable to admit her faults. That night, while tossing and turning, Alana plotted her revenge. She couldn’t stand the thought of anyone besting her without consequence. Ashleigh, in particular, was her target. As she watched Ashleigh enter