Chapter 14- Unexpected Savior
Athena
“If it isn’t the little charity case.”
An annoying voice stops me in my tracks, and I groan internally.
Do I have to deal with this right before my exams?
I turn to find Melanie and her usual group of followers standing by the hallway lockers, smirking like they’ve been waiting for
- me.
Of course, they have.
I bet it eats them up so bad that an orphan like me, with no financial backup, is attending the best and most expensive medical
school.
What they don’t know is that I’m backed by the Kings. And if they did, that smug look wouldn’t even exist.
My parents were extremely gifted surgeons. They chose to help during a devastating flood, saving lives, and among the people they rescued was Giana King–Alexander’s grandmother.
Unfortunately, my parents didn’t make it out alive. Giana felt indebted to them, so she found me, took me in, and promised to support me. Somehow, she ended up loving me like her own and decided I should marry her grandson.
Let’s just say, Alexander King wasn’t thrilled with that arrangement.
“The medical field doesn’t need charity cases,” Melanie continues, flipping her perfectly straight hair over her shoulder. “It needs people who belong here. People who aren’t just some sob story taking up space.”
Her friends giggle, eyes filled with mockery.
I clench my jaw, refusing to let them see their words sting.
“Right,” I say coolly. “Because the world definitely needs more entitled trust–fund babies playing doctor for fun.”
Melanie’s smile cracks just a little, but she recovers quickly.
“We’ll see if you even make it past this exam,” she sneers. “I heard you got special treatment on your last paper. Guess pity
points really do go a long way.”
I laugh as I step closer. “I guess it does. Six years to be exact.” I tilt my head. “But what about you?” Another step forward,
closing the space between us. “You’ve been in third year for seven years. Why? Did Daddy run out of money to pay for your
grades?”
A few students passing by overhear and laugh.
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Melanie’s face turns red with anger.
“Shut up, Dawson.”
“Or what?” I smile. “You’ll cry to the dean? Oh wait, that didn’t work last time either.”
The laughter around us grows, and Melanie’s expression darkens with humiliation.
Satisfied, I turn on my heel and walk away, heading toward the exam hall.
This is it. My first paper. Once I’m done with exams, I’ll wait for the results then I can divorce Alex and start over.
After the exam, I feel a bit lighter. I’ve barely slept the past month and I can’t wait to be done with it so I can finally get some shut
eye. Three more papers to go.
As I gather my things, my lecturer, Dr. Langley, calls out my name.
I approach his desk cautiously. “Yes, Professor?”
He looks at me with something close to admiration and my heart soars. Our professor is one of the most difficult to please and
now that I’m standing here, nerves start wrecking.
“You’ve been exceptional, Athena. Your coursework is top–tier, and if you keep this up, your future in medicine is promising.”
A warm sense of pride fills my chest.
“Thank you, sir.”
Before I turn to leave, he asks, “Why do you want to be a doctor?”
I pause, considering. Then, I smile.
“I’m yet to find the answer to that question. But one thing’s for sure–I feel the calling in my bones.”
He nods approvingly, and I take a step toward the door when-
“Athena Dawson.”
The authoritative voice freezes me in place. I turn to see Mr. Dalton, the head of the university disciplinary committee, standing
at the doorway.
“Come with me,” he says sternly.
My stomach drops.
What?
Why?
Confused, I follow him down the hall, my heart pounding faster with every step. He leads me into an office, and when I step
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inside, my breath catches.
Melanie sits there, her face bruised, and her lip split. Tears stream down her cheeks as she sobs dramatically.
“She attacked me,” she cries. “I- I didn’t do anything, and she just hit me!”
“You better get my daughter justice, Dalton! Or I’ll sue this school today!” An older man who I assume is Melanie’s father spits.
Shock rushes through me like ice water. “What?” My voice comes out hoarse. “I didn’t I was in the exam room
“)
“That’s a perfect excuse! You probably hired those thugs to beat up my daughter with a plan to save yourself by saying you were in the exam room! Dalton?” The man is red from furry and I understand him.
Melanie doesn’t look good but I didn’t do it. I’m not a thug for crying out loud. But now that I think about it, I’m in shit because everyone saw us bicker three hours ago.
Mr. Dalton sighs, rubbing his temples. “This is very serious, Dawson. You might lose your place here. And if that happens-” He leans forward. “Your career is toast.”
“Oh, it is toast alright?”
I shake my head, panic creeping in. “I didn’t touch her! She’s lying!”
Melanie sobs harder, flinching like she’s terrified of me.
“You’re ruining something good by accepting these thugs. She probably demanded money and my daughter refused.”
“Please call down. We will get her the justice she deserves. Dawson, do you have someone you can call? You’ll need a witness as
we hear both sides of your story.”
You mean Melania’s side. I correct in my heart because I’m now hopeless. This man is powerful and will take away the one thing
that I’ve worked hard for.
Why is the world so unfair to the poor?
I grip the chair tightly, my pulse hammering. My first instinct is to call Giana or Ariana but the thought of disappointing them, of
making them regret ever helping me, stops me cold.
I could call Noah… but Alex…
He said not to.
Damn it.
Who can I call?
Between losing my place and facing Alex’s wrath, I choose his wrath. Noah is a King too, maybe he can help me with a lawyer and
I can pay him back.
My fingers tremble as I type in a message.
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Me: [Hi Noah. I’m sorry we haven’t spoken since last week but I need your help. Can you please come to my school? I’m about to
lose my place. Please don’t tell anyone about this. Not even your cousin.]
My heart pounds hard as I press send.
One second…. two….three…
It shows read.
My heart is in my throat as I wait for a response.
The dots show he’s typing. Then he stops. Typing.. stops.
Then finally my phone vibrates.
Noah: [ okay.]
“I don’t know why you’re letting her waste our time. My daughter needs medical attention but she has to wait for her justice!”
My phone vibrates again, and I glance down, my heart hammering against my ribs.
Noah: [Where are you?]
I swallow hard before quickly typing a response.
Me: [Disciplinary office.]
I lock my phone and look up just in time to see Mr. Dalton staring at me expectantly, waiting for an answer I don’t have. My mind
spins, trying to figure out how to prove my innocence.
Before I can say another word, the door bursts open.
All the air in my lungs vanishes.
Alexander King strides in like he owns the room like he owns the very air we breathe.
His jade green eyes scan the scene, taking in Melanie’s bruised face, her father’s enraged expression, and my own stunned one.
His jaw tightens, his presence instantly commanding the space.
I grip the chair to keep myself steady.
Oh, I am so screwed.
Chapter 15 – Fleeting warmth
