Chapter 32

Judy’s POV

All the professors knew about my dyslexia?

How did the dean even find out about it? All my doctors and therapists assured me that nobody outside of my circle would find out about this. I didn’t want them to start treating me differently like I was incapable. It seemed as if my fears were becoming a reality. They all knew about my disability and now they thought I was incapable of truly learning the material.

They think that I was the one who set Carol up and got her kicked out of the school and that I have been the one cheating this entire time. My heart tightened in my chest at the very thought of it.

I couldn’t listen to Nicole and Professor Morgan’s conversation any longer. I wasn’t going to let this situation ruin my favorite class and I wasn’t going to let my professors think I was incapable of participating in their class.

Folding my arms across my chest, I walked around the corner to face the two gossiping about me. Nicole’s face paled upon seeing me and her mouth nearly dropped open. She knew right away that I had heard the entire conversation; it was clear on her face.

“Judy!” Nicole gasped. “H…how long have you been here for?”

She was stammering over her words nervously.

“Long enough,” I told her, my brows furrowed. “What’s going on? How did everyone know about my dyslexia?”

Professor Morgan paled immediately.

“The dean called us in early this morning for a team meeting to discuss it,” he said, lowering his gaze.

“How did the dean even find out?” I asked. “Nobody was supposed to ever know.”

“I’m not sure; he didn’t say,” he answered. “He must have gotten some outside intel.”

I pressed my lips firmly together and stepped toward my professor with a stern gaze.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Professor. I got into this program on my own merits. I didn’t buy my way into this school, I worked hard to become the top student. My dyslexia doesn’t define who I am and what I am capable of doing. If anything, it makes me work even harder to reach my goals. I made it this far without the extra help and without my professors treating me as if I were incapable of accomplishing simple tasks. I can read and write just fine; it might be a little harder for me than others, but I manage perfectly fine, and I succeed with everything that I set my mind and heart on. If you are incapable of teaching me as you do the others, then perhaps I should start looking into other professors.”

Nicole smirked at her brother and folded her arms across her chest.

“I told you, did I not?” She asked, raising her brows.

Professor Morgan shifted uncomfortably in his place and gazed at the ground sheepishly.

“I apologize, Miss Montague, for my rudeness. You are right, I shouldn’t have assumed you were incapable just because I received this new knowledge. I hope you accept my apologies.”

“I will once you relay my messages to not only my professors but to the dean as well. I am more than capable of accomplishing my tasks without their extra assistance and treating me as if I am stupid,” I said firmly.

Professor Morgan bowed his head in submittance.

“I will,” he told me.

I stepped back and let out a long breath I hadn’t known I was holding. I guess now I knew why my professors had been acting strangely today.

“Now, what we’re discussing before I got here? Besides me,” I asked, looking between the two of them.

“I’m introducing a new move today,” he told me, rummaging through his folder and pulling out a piece of paper. “These are the coordinates of the move that I want everyone to practice today.”

He handed me the paper and gave it a once over before nodding and handing it back to him.

“Seems easy enough,” I told him confidently.

He corked a brow.

“Care to demonstrate?”

I smirked and looked at Nicole.

“Want to spar with me?”

She nodded eagerly.

“Yes, please,” she said as she got into position.

One minute she was standing and preparing for my attack, and the next she was lying face-up on the ground, her eyes wide and dazed. I was standing over her with my elbow in her throat and my leg over my shoulder after I used my entire body to flip her to the ground.

“I was crazy to doubt your capabilities,” Professor Morgan chuckled, shaking his head.

For the rest of the class, Nicole was my sparring partner, and we practiced the new moves.

I wasn’t surprised to see the familiar luxury car waiting for me outside school when I got done with my final class of the day. Leroy waited for me outside of the car and when I approached, he gave me a polite smile before opening the back door for me.

I frowned at him.

“You have to be careful. If others see you, they will ask questions,” I reminded him.

He dipped his head low, his cheeks reddening.

“I hadn’t thought of that; I apologize, Miss Montague,” he murmured.

I sighed and slid into the car before anyone spotted me. Leroy shut the door and got into the driver’s seat. The ride to Gavin’s Villa was quiet, but that was fine because it let me truly think about today as a whole. Someone had told the dean about my dyslexia for a reason I wasn’t sure of.

What were they thinking they’d accomplish?

Perhaps they wanted to ruin my reputation? But why?

Leroy stopped the car and got out to open my door. I thanked him and walked into the villa; Adam was standing at the doorway, and he gave me a tight smile as I passed him. I wasn’t sure what his issue with me was, but I just ignored the attitude and found Matt already outside, practicing his aiming.

When he saw me, his face lit up.

“Judy!” He exclaimed as he ran towards me.

I smiled at him, relieved to see the little guy after the day I had. I would be lying if I said I didn’t find my work relaxing in some way. At least Matt respected me and actually listened to me.

“I’ve been practicing my archery,” he told me proudly. “Come look!”

He pulled me along with him towards the archery set up and he grabbed an arrow from the quiver along with the bow off the ground.

I watched as he pulled the strings of the bow back and released the arrow; it landed on the archery board almost hitting the target, but not quite. However, it was a lot better than normal. I smiled at the effort and clapped my hands.

“That was a lot better, Matt,” I praised. “Try lowering your shoulders just a little more though and aim slightly upward.”

Matt grabbed another arrow from the quiver and did as I said, he lowered his shoulder and aimed slightly upward. When he released the arrow, it flew thew the air at a rapid speed and the ni heard the thud as it landed directly on the bull's eye!

Matt cheered and the grin that spread across his face made my heart swell with pride.

“Did you see that!!” He cheered. “I can’t believe I hit the mark!!”

“I can,” I told him with a chuckle. “I knew you could do it.”

“Thanks, Judy,” he said, hugging me tightly.

I chuckled and patted him on the back.

“We should get inside now and do some of your homework,” I told him.

He nodded and put the bow and arrow away before following me into the house. We sat in the parlor as we often did when we did his homework. He grabbed his worksheets from the day and showed them to me.

As we started to work on the assignments, I heard the front doors opening and shutting. Soon, Ethan and Irene could be seen outside the parlor doors. Irene was holding a big bouquet of flowers and she was glowing as she peeked up at her fiancé.

“Ethan, you didn’t have to get me flowers,” she gushed. “They are lovely.”

“Not as lovely as you,” he said, leaning down and brushing his lips across hers. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Cash.”

My stomach tightened at his words; Irene wrapped her arms around Ethan’s neck and pulled herself close to him.

“I love you,” she murmured against him.

He didn’t reply with words; but he kissed her deeply, showcasing his love for her as well.

His eyes flickered over to me, seated on the couch and I saw them darken. I swallowed the lump in my throat, knowing that he was putting on a show for my benefit. He pulled away from Irene and brushed a strand of blonde hair out of her face, allowing his fingers to linger on her cheek for a second longer.

“You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said, kissing the bridge of her nose. Her cheeks turned bright pink, and a smile spread across her perfect lips. “I can’t wait to marry you, my love.”

The entire time he spoke to her, he was looking at me.