“Who said it was foolproof?”


    te’s words wereced with bitterness. If Marcia hadn’t sworn up and down that everything would go smoothly, he never would’ve ended up tangled in her mess. And now he was paying the price.


    Thinking about it made Marcia squirm. She’d heard from Frank what Rowan had done to te. That was exactly why she’d been avoiding te these past few days–hoping to duck the fallout. But clearly, the storm had found her anyway. te was set on ming her for everything.


    Marcia winced as te’s grip tightened in her hair, her mind scrambling for a way out. She forced a sullen apology. “I had no idea Mr. Murphy would show up that night. You can’t pin that on me…”


    Suddenly, she rallied. “If you want to me someone, me Elissa. She’s the real culprit here<b>.</b>”


    She jerked her chin toward Elissa’s car parked down the street, a sly smirk curling on her lips. “You got burned, but she’s just fine–off unting that pretty face of hers, stringing guys along as usual.”


    In the distance, Cliff was climbing into Elissa’s car. The two of them were headed off to celebrate their teacher’s birthday.


    “Shut up!” te snapped, pping her hard across the cheek. “Don’t think I don’t see what you’re up to–trying to use me to clear a path for yourself to be Mrs. Frank, aren’t you?”


    He didn’t hold back, and the blow stung as much as the words.


    Marcia sucked in a sharp breath, pain shing across her features. “I’m only looking out for you. After everything you’ve been through for her, you should’ve ruined that face of hers. That way, she’d be <b>yours</b>–heart and soul.”


    A coldugh escaped te. He grabbed her chin, eyes narrowing.


    “Jealous, are you? Honestly, Marcia, you should be. You’re not even a fraction as beautiful as she is. Not even her little toe.”


    He remembered those delicate, rosy toes–how many times had he dreamed of being crushed beneath those feet?


    For the first time, Marcia realized te’s obsession with Elissa ran deeper than lust. It was twisted–almost perverse.


    But even as her cheeks burned with humiliation, Marcia knew better than to challenge Mr. te head–on. She steadied herself and shifted tactics, offering him a n. “If you really want Elissa in your bed, it’s not impossible.”


    “What did you say?”


    “Mr. te, this time… there’s no need to force things.”


    She leaned in, whispering her scheme into his ear.


    “You’re sure?” te’s tone dripped with suspicion. “Marcia, if you screw me over again, I may not have Rowan’s power, but it wouldn’t be hard for me to get rid of you.”


    Meanwhile, Elissa and Cliff arrived at their teacher’s house. Aaron and Jacqueline were already in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on dinner. The main dishes were ready; Jacqueline was just sautéing a few side dishes.


    Elissa set down the gift bag and breezed into the kitchen with a bright smile. “Happy birthday, Professor! Here’s to many more birthdays and good years ahead!”


    Jacqueline snorted, tossing a pinch of salt into a pan. “He’s already ancient. If he keeps having birthdays, he’ll turn into some kind of


    monster.”


    Aaron grinned. “I don’t mind being a monster, as long as you’re my partner in crime.”


    Cliffughed. “Dinner hasn’t even started and you’re already making us jealous.”


    “Our professor just loves showing off,” Elissa teased, washing her hands before helping Jacqueline.


    She couldn’t cook, but she was quick and attentive, always handing Jacqueline the right spice or utensil at just the right moment.


    Warmth andughter filled the kitchen, the air thick with the scent of home–cooked food.


    At the table, Cliff opened a bottle of red wine he’d brought, pouring sses for everyone. After dinner, Aaron pulled out the chessboard and challenged Cliff to a game.


    Elissa, with the lowest tolerance, was sprawled across the back of the sofa, watching them y. Jacqueline poured her a cup of tea. “Drink this. Your professor insisted I make it for you–it’ll help with the wine.”


    “Thank you, Jacqueline.” Elissa’s head was spinning a little, but she took the cup with both hands, looking sweet and obedient.


    Jacqueline gave her a gentle smile, then hesitated. “This year, Jonathan’s wife is due any day now–she can’t fly home with that baby belly. So it’ll just be me and ine visiting for the holidays.”