Forbidden Pleasure: Daddy's Favorite Student

Elizabeth's POV

For what use was a brain when it wasn’t made use of in times like these?

I should’ve known. I should’ve followed my gut. The signs were glaring, the late replies, the locked phone, the way he flinched whenever I mentioned Jennifer. The way he stopped smiling when he looked at me.

But I ignored it. All of it.

Because I loved him. Or maybe because I just needed to believe someone did. I wasn’t supposed to be at his place today. But I had finished my seminar early and thought I'd surprise him with lunch. Silly me.

The door was cracked open, music playing faintly inside. I stepped in quietly, balancing the paper bag in my hands. And then I saw her.

Jennifer Futon.

Standing near his bed, buttoning up her blouse. Her lipstick was smudged, her eyes met mine and she didn’t flinch. Ethan stepped out of the bathroom behind her, a wet towel around his waist.

“Ethan....,” My tone was cautious, wondering if my eyes were betraying me.

Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Wow, you still come around uninvited. Embarrassing.”

"You told me you were studying and that is why you couldn't make it to my seminar” I said, looking at Ethan. “You lied to my face.”

He sighed, running a hand through his wet hair. “Liz, don’t make this a scene...”

“You cheated on me!” I snapped. “With her? With my bully? After everything? After me helping you with your assignments? Covering for you when you skipped classes?”

“Yeah, well, maybe I got bored,” he said. Without remorse. Without shame. Just that same tired smirk I used to find charming..

“You’re pathetic,” I hissed, shoving the lunch bag at his chest. “You don’t deserve any of the chances I gave you.”

“Please,” Jennifer muttered, already walking past me. “Save the monologue for someone who cares.”

My heart thundered in my ears, my eyes were already leaking tears.

“Lower your voice, Liz!” Ethan snapped, dropping the bag like it disgusted him.

That did it.

My tears burned hotter, but I stood my ground.  “Right. Because God forbid you get embarrassed in front of your little toy.”

Jennifer snorted, already slipping on her heels. “This is getting boring. Let me know when you’re done with your emotional support freshman.”

“I am a senior,” I spat.

“Still beneath me,” she said with a wink, then pushed past me with a flip of her hair and the thick stench of her expensive perfume.

Ethan picked up his phone from the bed, not even sparing me a glance. “You done now?”

Done?

I stepped closer. “No, you’re done.”

He looked up, unimpressed. “Liz, I’ve been carrying this relationship for months....”

“You’ve been carrying me?” I choked, gesturing wildly. “I sacrificed sleep to edit your essays. I skipped lectures to cover for you. I defended you when people said you were using me.”

“Maybe they were right.”

That hurt. That one landed deep. Like he knew exactly where to strike.

I