Chapter 2

She stumbled away, tears blurring the ivy-covered buildings.

Her mind flashed back.

Liam appearing at her favorite quiet coffee spot, "What a coincidence!"

Liam leaving a single, perfect rose on her organic chemistry textbook.

Liam, captain of the lacrosse team, the campus king, pursuing her, Ava Sharma, the quiet scholarship kid.

It had been intoxicating. She, who always had her guard up, had let it down. For him.

He' d spent months wearing her down, his charm relentless, his attention unwavering.

The weekend at his family's lake house. That was when it happened. The intimacy she' d cherished, now felt like a violation.

The realization hit her with the force of a physical blow. He hadn' t just deceived her; he' d used her, her body, her ambition, as tools in a game to benefit Jessica.

The fellowship. Her parents' pride. Her future.

No.

She wouldn't let him.

A new, cold resolve settled in her.

Long before Liam, before Northwood even, she'd had a backup. A secret ambition.

Cambridge. An early admission offer to their medical school program, tucked away, just in case.

She' d almost forgotten about it, swept up in Liam and the promise of Johns Hopkins.

Now, it was her lifeline.

First, the pharmacy.

The emergency contraception pill felt heavy in her palm. She swallowed it dry in the sterile white bathroom, the fluorescent light harsh and unforgiving.

A small, bitter taste.

Then, her phone.

Her mother answered on the second ring, her voice warm, concerned. "Ava, beta? Is everything alright?"

Ava took a deep breath. "Mom," she said, her voice surprisingly steady. "I've made a decision. About medical school."

"The Hopkins fellowship? Did you hear something?"

"No, Mom. Not Hopkins." Ava closed her eyes. "I'm taking the Cambridge offer. The one in the UK."

A beat of silence. Then, "Cambridge? But... what about Liam? What about your plans here?"

"Plans change, Mom," Ava said, a new strength in her voice. "I need to do this. For me. I'll expedite everything. I just need your help with some logistics."

Her mother, ever supportive despite her surprise, didn't hesitate. "Of course, beta. Whatever you need. We'll make it work."

Hanging up, Ava felt a sliver of relief. A path forward. Away from him.