Rachel POV
Marcus’s smile faded as quickly as it had appeared.
He leaned back in his chair, fingers folding together, his gaze sharpening into something cold and analytical. The warmth in his voice was gone when he spoke again.
“I just find it interesting,” he said mildly, “that you met six months ago, but somehow Rachel’s attendance record started slipping around that same time.”
My heart slammed against my ribs.
“What?” I asked.
Marcus reached into his bag and pulled out his laptop, opening it with practised ease. He didn’t look at Damien as he spoke—his focus was entirely on me.
“I pay your tuition, Rachel. I get the reports.”
Click.
“Missed lectures. Late submissions. Group projects you suddenly stopped attending.”
He finally looked up.
“That’s not like you.”
My mouth went
