“They’re wearing hoodies,” I said. “It’s hard to see their faces.”Cassidy pointed out a small device in one of the men’s hands. “They’re recording what’s being said in Victor’s office.”“This situation is intolerable,” Alex declared. “We must accomplish our mission and return as soon as possible.”“I’m printing out the images of these men,” Cassidy said. “I’m leaving the printouts with Benson and the memory cards in Alex’s safe.”“I promise to remain quiet about this unless the faction tries something even worse,” I said.“If you must tell him, call me first,” Alex said. “You could be putting us in danger, and we should leave Virople immediately.”I hadn't thought of that. “I promise to call you first.” After hugging Alex and Cassidy goodbye, I left the mansion to pick up Amy.Our first semester of college began soon, and we wanted new clothes for the occasion.“How’s things at Archer Manor?” I asked as Amy climbed into the passenger seat of my car.She grinned. “Ghost-free and peace
Amy took my hand and led me out of the store. “Give me your key fob,” she insisted. “You’re too upset to drive. I’ve never seen anyone turn so pale.”She was right. So I handed the fob to her and got into the passenger seat.“I can’t believe it,” I groaned as I put on the seatbelt. “Get us out of here before Chloe sees me cry.”But it was too late. Chloe came out of the jewelry store with a colorful carry bag that I knew contained the necklace and earrings that she bought with my fiancé’s credit card.She looked into my face and gave me her smug smile. I nodded at her cooly while gripping the edge of the car seat.“Want to tell me about it?” Amy asked.“Chloe used Victor’s platinum card to buy that necklace and earring set,” I said. It sounded worse coming out of my mouth, and I began to cry harder.“Daisy, are you sure it was Victor’s card?” Amy asked. “One company’s credit card looks like all the others.”“I saw his name on it, and the account number was his,” I replied. “Why would
I stared at the box covered with silver and gold foil paper and shook my head in disbelief.“You got me a gift to commemorate the day I threw up on you,” I said. He must be feeling guilty.“It was the best day of my life.” Victor reached across the table and took my hand. “It was the day I met my fated mate, my best friend, and the love of my life.”My lips quivered, and I began to feel guilty. I hadn’t realized that day had been a year ago today. So much had changed. I had changed.“Open it,” Victor said.“But I don’t have anything for you,” I objected.He squeezed my hand. “I have you. That’s all I want.”I gave him a weak smile and pulled my hand back so I could open Victor’s gift. But my hands were shaky, and it took me a moment to get the paper off.When I saw what was beneath the wrapping paper, I began to laugh and cry at the same time.It was a box from the jewelry store where Amy and I saw Chloe. I slowly opened the box, knowing what I would find inside.Victor wasn’t cheatin
I changed my clothes three times before settling on the jeans and sage green top I had on first. The only jewelry I wore was the moonstone pendant and my engagement ring.It was my first day of classes at Frampton U, and I was excited and nervous.The only thing that would make this day better was if Amy was going with me. Yet, she seemed happy enough to attend school with Justin at the city college.My hands shook as I gathered my things and went down to the garage to get into my car.My first class was in two hours, but I had to go to the campus bookstore for textbooks, and I wanted to explore a little.That wouldn’t be a problem since the campus was a fifteen-minute drive if I took the highway. So I had plenty of time.It felt like the kind of day I should savor. The memories of attending such a prestigious school would stay with me for life.The drive was pleasant. I took my time, enjoying the sun on my face that shone from a bright blue sky, and the air was still warm and soft. I
I couldn’t believe this was happening. I’d done nothing wrong. Maybe the provost wanted to discuss something else with me. In any case, it wouldn’t be good to make them wait.Getting up from the table, I shot a look across the cafeteria at Cara, but she was speaking to an older woman in a similar uniform as hers and wasn’t looking in my direction.But everyone else stared at me as I made my way to the exit.The Morefield Building was on the other side of the campus, near the library and bookstore. It would have been a pleasant walk if my stomach wasn’t twisted into knots.The phrase ‘suspended or expelled’ played like a drumbeat in my head as I walked along on the neatly edged sidewalks to the main offices of the school.Inside the Morefield Building, I followed the signs to the University Provost's office and told the secretary I was there.“Please sit down,” the secretary said. “Provost Shires will be with you as soon as possible.”“But I have a class in a half hour,” I objected.Wh
After walking across the campus to the Kensington Building, I found Dr. Clark’s office on the second floor. The door was open, so I knocked on the frame.“Come in,” Dr. Clark called out, although I couldn’t see her.I stepped inside and looked around the room at the personal touches and mementos my Ethics professor kept in her office. Photos of children and humorous knickknacks covered the shelves near her desk.A worn couch and chair were in front of the desk. A knitting basket embroidered with smiling cats sat on one end of the sofa. But I still didn’t see Dr. Clark.Suddenly, she popped up from the floor on the other side of the desk. The designer dress she wore to teach her class had been replaced with jeans and a sweatshirt.“You’re Daisy Wilson, aren’t you?” she asked as she bent over and picked up a cushion from the floor.“Yes, ma’am,” I replied.She put the cushion on top of a filing cabinet. “I’ve been told to keep an eye on you and report any agitating speech. The college a
The note stayed on my mind all the way home to the apartment. After I pulled into the garage, I read it aloud.“You should be ashamed of yourself! Drop out and go to school somewhere else where they don’t mind being in classes with a Beta-lover like you.”Why was I receiving this much hate for pointing out a lack of diversity? I was disappointed in my fellow students. How did young people become this intolerant of others?But it wasn’t going to scare me away or make me stop writing my report.I went upstairs to the apartment and made myself an iced coffee before sitting down at my computer.The email from Dr. Clark was waiting for me. I downloaded the files and began reading the data.Dr. Clark kept track of her student’s grades, attendance, and whether they graduated or not. The university divided them by their class: Alpha, Beta, Omega, or hybrid, and their age and their family’s income.I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Dr. Clark's records went back ten years. The discriminatio
After tossing and turning for hours last night, I finally fell asleep before Victor came to bed. So, I let him sleep while I got ready for my day.He awoke as I was gathering my things before going out the door.He jumped from the bed and rubbed his eyes. “What time is it?”“You’ve got over an hour to get to work,” I replied. “I’m leaving early this morning. I promised I’d stop by Archer Manor to see the finished renovations on my way to school.”He yawned. “I forgot the shelter’s opening is tonight.”“You can skip it if you’re too tired.” I kissed his cheek. “Amy will understand.”“The mayor expects me to be there,” Victor said through another yawn. “The shelter is important to the city. I’ll come home early this afternoon and take a nap.”“That’s a good idea,” I told him. “I just started a fresh pot of coffee to get you through the morning. See you this afternoon, darling.”I kissed him again before going down to the garage and getting into my car.Crossing my fingers, I looked upwa