✤ Adrian ✤
The room was smaller than I expected. I had imagined something grander, something that matched the weight of what was about to happen. Instead, it was just a long table, three chairs on one side, one on the other. Neutral walls. No windows. No warmth. I sat alone on my side of the table with my hands folded neatly in front of me, my posture calm in a way that felt dishonest. Mrs. Abrew sat in the center. Mr. Matthews sat to her left. Miss Tucker to her right. All three wore expressions that suggested this was not their first time dismantling someone’s life.
“Professor Thorne,” Mrs. Abrew began, her voice measured. “Thank you for coming,” I wanted to laugh at that, but I stopped myself.
“I didn’t have much of a choice,” I muttered under my breath. Mr. Matthews cleared his thr
