Chapter 40

**Nikolay's POV**

"Class dismissed."

My voice reverberates through the otherwise hushed classroom, immediately followed by the closure of students' laptops. I resist the urge to lock my gaze on Vee, who remains silent as she gathers her belongings.

I begin arranging my books, preparing to depart. Vee remains in her seat, waiting until one by one, the other students filter out.

My hands tremble as I recall the events of that night with Vee. She left in the morning, probably at dawn, leaving behind the lingering scent of her on my sheets. I had lained there, staring at the ceiling in a daze, hearing the creak of Liam's door open and close.

She skipped classes yesterday and a part of me wonders if it was because of how hard I went with her. Or maybe she was just sick at the thought of fucking her teacher.

I couldn't bring myself to face Liam again this morning at breakfast (that's two days in a row). He thinks it is due to the ongoing disagreement between us, but I hope he never finds o