Chapter 82

The morning light streamed in through the curtains, but I hadn’t moved from the couch. My phone lay on the coffee table, lit up with notifications—messages, emails, and worse… more gossip articles. Another headline called me a seductress. Another used the word “homewrecker.” One even mocked that I should teach a class on pleasing men. They shared blurry pictures from Logan’s office—the kind that shouldn’t have been taken. And worse, photos of me with Mr. Han during Lily’s lesson. Photos taken at the exact moment he had guided my arm or touched my waist for a stance. Photos that looked… wrong. My phone rang again. I picked it up, ready to ignore it—until I saw the name. Mom. I answered quickly. “Hi.” Her voice came through, gentle but concerned. “Haley, are you okay?” I hesitated. “Yeah. I’m okay.” “You saw the reports?” she asked softly. I closed my eyes for a second. “Yes.” There was a long pause. “You don’t deserve this, Haley. You didn’t do anything wrong.” “I know,” I whispered. “Y