'The Education Department got wind of your little indiscretion when your young lover topped himself after you dumped him? The boy was a student in your class, a student for Christ's sake! A child! And you got caught. Accusing Wayne of stalking was just the thing to discredit your accuser. He was the one whose photos led to your suspension and the inquiry. Weren't they? So when did you forgive him? Huh? Before or after I 'fell' like manna from heaven? Saving me was obviously out of character but then you resumed your normal persona. I thought your silence when I brought you home from hospital was a hangover of the accident. Now I realise you were just toting up the dollars, calculating my net worth, anticipating your windfall - the harbourside mansion, the limousine. The guys got stacks of dough and better still he's beholden to you for his life. Perfect. Easy pickings.'
The spite in Ethan's voice, the malice in his eyes, the barely leashed violence emanating from his whole being robbed Kate of speech. Unable to move since Ethan still clenched her hair and had pressed his considerable bulk against her she just shook her head imperceptibly as tears poured down her cheeks, the first she had spilled in her short life.
No, No, No. As if reading her mind Ethan spat. 'Yes, yes, yes…that' pointing at the document crumpled on the floor, 'and these-' dragging her hand in which she still clenched the photos up to her face '-only serve to reinforce the report from the private investigator I hired to track your identity down. You're garbage I need to put out.'
Kate faced with her "life" was dying a painful death inside.
She knew she hadn't taken the money or abused Ethan's kindness by reckless use of his credit card. In the face of Ethan's accusations and despite the evidence she knew she was innocent on those counts. But as for the other revelations? Well being a teacher felt right but for the photos? It was undeniably her. It obviously was a student. It was an inappropriate embrace. Teacher, student, paedophile.
As for the man Wayne, his image only made her shiver.
Ethan watched the play of emotions flitting across her face and tried desperately to harden his heart. Unfortunately that wasn't the only part of him hardening. Pressed up against her body like this with her sweet breath fanning his cheeks, her heaving breasts squashed against his chest and her hips in intimate contact with his Ethan could no longer contain himself, his blood rushing to his groin leaving his brain gasping for oxygen and reason. For days he had quelled his physical attraction to her in respect for a possible loved one or a husband only to find out one doesn't exist, only a sleazebag that doesn't deserve his consideration, only his pity. She was free. Free too with her body- teenagers and hell knew who else.