Chapter 27

As we left Fuvine University, I sat quietly in the passenger seat, feeling the atmosphere in the car grow awkward. "What's wrong?" Tom glanced at me, his lips curved in a faint smile. "Are you upset?" I quickly shook my head. "No, but why didn't you explain earlier? What if they misunderstood…" I didn't mind much; I was married and about to get a divorce. But he was still single. If the university leaders started spreading rumors, it would only harm him. "It's fine." He smiled slightly. I looked at him in surprise, unsure of what he meant. Strangely, Dawn's words echoed in my mind—"He likes you!" Tom tilted his head and looked at me. "If I had explained, they would have kept asking questions until they got every detail. We would never have left so easily." I finally understood his reasoning, and my previously tense heart relaxed. "What's the matter? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?" he teased, his tone light. Under the dappled sunlight, his deep dark eyes shimmered like