Ruining My Ex: Reborn as The Mayor’s Sweet Nightmare

I shouldn’t have slept with the professor because of my boyfriend. The hallway outside Professor Oregan's office was unbearably quiet, except for a single flickering fluorescent bulb buzzing overhead. I stood frozen, clutching my empty folder like a flimsy shield. The collar of my blouse pinched my neck; I had buttoned it all the way up to look proper and modest. But none of it mattered. Nothing I wore could protect me in that room. My mind spun wildly as I hovered at the door, swallowing the sour knot of bile clawing at my throat. Room 3B-207. A brass nameplate sat to the side, dull with age: Professor Charles Oregan, Political Science Department Chair. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to turn around and run. Yet, my mind dragged me back to the frantic, tear-filled argument in Williams’ apartment just hours ago. He had been caught red-handed cheating on the final exam. The disciplinary board meeting was scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM. Expulsion was a guarantee. His future, his family's reputation, and our entire life together would be completely vaporized. "Kathrine, please, just this once," his voice echoed in my head, his hands trembling violently in mine. "Professor Oregan is the Chair. He is the only one who can wipe the logs before the board meets. He’s liked you for a long time... I know he’s much older, but you understand, right? If I get expelled, my father will disown me. We promised we'd get married after graduation. You love me, don't you?" I had believed him. I believed that love meant stepping into the fire so the other person wouldn't burn. I raised my fist and knocked. Two soft taps. The latch slid with a metallic snap, and the door creaked open. Dim light spilled into the dark hall. Professor Oregan stood in the doorway, his pale eyes crinkled with a sickening smile. He looked closer to seventy than sixty, with sparse gray hair combed carefully over his scalp. "Miss Brown," he greeted warmly. "Come on inside." I stepped in, and the door shut behind me with a heavy thud, the lock clicking into place. The office smelled of thick cologne layered over something damp and musty that made my stomach churn. He gestured toward a sagging faux-leather couch. "Make yourself comfortable." When I didn't move, Oregan crossed to his desk, flipping open a folder. "Williams is a talented student. It’s a shame about the cheating accusation." He paused, casting a dark glance over my body. "But... we can make this go away, yes? You know what's expected?" I nodded once. It was all I could manage. "Good," he said with a smirk. "Then let's not waste time. Take off your top." The words made the nightmare real. My fingers trembled as they rose to my buttons. One by one, they came undone. The blouse slid from my shoulders, falling to the floor. I crossed my arms over my chest instinctively, but he was already stepping forward. His dry, wrinkled hands reached out and cupped my breasts, humming softly. "Even better than I imagined. Such a beautiful waste on a boy like Williams." I wanted to scream at him for uttering Williams' name, but I choked it down. This was the price. The cost of keeping the man I loved in school. Oregan's wet mouth pressed against my skin greedily, groaning as he took what wasn't his. I stared at the ceiling, fixing my eyes on a water stain in the corner, watching the flickering lightbulb. Anything but him. "On your knees," he ordered, his eyes turning darker. When I didn't move fast enough, his hand gripped my shoulder and shoved me down. My knees hit the thin, dusty carpet. I could smell the old coffee and the rot on the floor. Then came the sharp clink of his belt buckle and the zip of his trousers. "Open," he commanded. I obeyed, but my mind tore itself completely away from my body. I wasn't on this rotten carpet. I was at the beach with Williams, watching the summer waves roll in during freshman year. I counted the ceiling tiles over and over again to drown out the sound of Oregan's heavy, breathless grunts. Four along the baseboard. Seven up the wall. I let my soul go completely numb, sacrificing my dignity piece by piece to buy Williams his freedom. When it was finally over, Oregan slumped into his chair, sweating and smiling like he'd just finished grading midterms. "You did well," he said, adjusting his trousers. "Williams is in the clear. As promised. Smile next time, sweetheart. You're prettier when you do." I walked out without looking back. The city blurred past the windows of the cab, and before I knew it, I was standing outside Williams' apartment. I knocked once. The door ripped open. Williams stood there, anxiety etched into every line of his face. "Kathrine. Did you—" He stopped when he saw my red-rimmed eyes and slumped shoulders. "Come in." The apartment smelled like his clean laundry and expensive cologne. "So...?" he asked impatiently, following me into the living room. "It's done," I whispered, my voice sounding hollow. "You're safe. You won't be expelled." He let out a massive exhale, sinking onto the couch. "God. Thank you. I was so scared." I sat beside him, staring blankly at my shaking hands. "He touched me, Williams. You know that, right?" Williams stiffened. For a fleeting second, guilt and shame flashed in his eyes. He reached out slowly, pulling me into his arms. "I'm sorry," he muttered into my hair. "I shouldn't have asked you to do this. It's over now. You're safe. I've got you." I let myself believe him. I let myself sink into his embrace, thinking the worst was behind us. Then, my phone pinged. I strained my eyes, watching the screen light up on the table. Professor Oregan: "Meet me at The Voltex Hotel by 9:00 PM to finalize the deal. I still have the original log drive. If you aren't there, the board gets it tonight." there, the board gets it tonight