Candace arrived home early and discovered her brightest student, Ariadne, in her bedroom with her husband, Octavius, who had a million excuses for the strange situation. Candace didn't know what to think until Ariadne burst into tears, revealing this wasn't a normal affair.
"See you tomorrow, professor!" a student called out as Candace ended her lecture. Pregnant and tired, Candace decided to skip her usual post-lecture work routine and return home.
Her husband, Octavius, was a lawyer, so they were financially secure. But Candace still had a month before her maternity leave started, so here she was, taking classes.
As she arrived home, Candace noticed Octavius's jacket was out of place and heard a noise from the bedroom. Entering, she found Octavius with her brightest student, Ariadne, who appeared shocked at Candace's arrival...
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"Octavius, what is happening here?" Candace demanded, her eyes on her husband's slightly unbuttoned shirt.
"Candace, darling, this is not what it seems," Octavius replied, trying to maintain composure.
Ariadne, speechless, looked between the two, her face showing internal turmoil.
"Explain," Candace insisted, her breath hitched with emotion.
"I... Candace, this is..." Octavius stuttered, struggling to articulate.
"Darling, I know how this looks, but it's not like that," Octavius continued. "Ariadne came for advice. I was changing; she followed me here, and the door closed accidentally."
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"Advice?" Candace asked, visibly confused and distressed.
"Yes, about her future. She wanted your advice, but since you weren't here, she asked about my career as a lawyer," Octavius explained.
Candace, still skeptical, turned to Ariadne. "Is that true?"
"I-I, " Ariadne stuttered, then nodded. "Yes. I wanted advice."
Candace wasn't convinced. "Octavius," she said sternly. "I know something's wrong, and I want to know what. Now."
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"This is the truth," Octavius insisted.
"No! That story is insane! I don't believe it," Candace countered, her trust in her husband faltering.
Ariadne, looking fearful, began to speak, but Octavius interrupted her. "Ariadne, stop!"
"You need to stop! She looks terrified of you, Octavius!" Candace said sharply.
"No, she's terrified of you," Octavius retorted. "And I know I should be understanding. You're pregnant, and the hormones make women think all sorts of things, but this is not what it looks like!"
"Don't blame this pregnancy," Candace warned.
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"Did you cheat on me?" Candace cut to the chase, seeking the truth in the charged atmosphere.
"What? Jesus! You're ridiculous!" exclaimed Octavius, frustrated.
"So you expect me to believe everything you've said?" Candace retorted sharply.
"It's the truth!" he insisted confidently. Their heated exchange was interrupted by Ariadne's sobbing.
Candace turned to her student. "Ariadne, what aren't you telling me?"
Octavius tried to interject, but Candace cut him off. "Shut up, Octavius! This isn't just about us."
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"You don't have to explain now. You can take your time, alright?" she told Ariadne calmly.
"Candace, let me explain—"
"I said not now, Octavius! It's time to hear Ariadne's side of the story."
"Dr. Rhodes, I didn't—" was all Ariadne could say.
"Ariadne, it's alright. Calm down, and tell me everything. I'm listening."
"Candace, perhaps we should discuss this privately," Octavius interjected.
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"No," Candace replied firmly. "I've heard your side. It's time for hers. You should leave!"
"I didn't want this, Dr. Rhodes," Ariadne whispered.
"What is this?" Candace asked softly, concerned.
Octavius tried to intervene again, and Candace lost her cool. "Get out of here before I do something crazy, Octavius! Just leave!"
After he left, Candace turned to Ariadne. "Just tell me what happened."
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"I know how it must have looked in there," Ariadne began. "But I—" Her tears didn't let her continue.
"So, you're not having an affair with my husband?" Candace asked directly.
"I-no, no, no, no, no, no," Ariadne replied, horrified. Then the young girl burst into tears again. The college lecturer could only sigh. She knew she would get nothing from this young woman today. She was too shaken up.
"I'm calling you a taxi home, but visit my campus office tomorrow," she told Ariadne. "We need to discuss this."
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That night, after Octavius returned home, Candace confronted him.
"Is she gone now?" he asked.
"Yes," Candace replied.
"What did she say?" Octavius asked.
"That girl couldn't stop crying! You did something to her!" Candace accused him, frustrated with whatever had happened. The baby, and now this...it was all too much for her to take.
"I haven't touched that girl!" Octavius said defensively.
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Haven't touched that girl… What are you hiding, Octavius? Candace thought suspiciously.
Octavius sighed, moving closer to her. "Trust me; there's nothing to worry about. She was seeking guidance," he assured her.