The weeks passed, and Sam's presence in her classroom became a regular thing. Every day, he found a reason to stay after class: a question about an essay, a thought on a book they were reading, a casual comment on her lecture. Emily knew it was more than that. She felt it in the way his eyes studied her, how his voice dropped when he spoke to her. It was subtle but undeniable.
One afternoon, after a particularly draining day of teaching, Sam lingered again. "I know you're busy, but could we talk for a second? I really need your advice on something," he said, standing by the doorway.
Emily looked at him, torn. She should tell him to leave, but instead, she nodded.
"Sure, Sam. What's on your mind?"
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "It's just… I don't know. You've been teaching here for a while, right? What do you think about pursuing something more… serious, with your life? I mean, it's easy to get stuck in the routine of everything, right?" He leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving hers.
Emily's breath caught in her throat. Her marriage had felt like nothing more than a routine for months. She looked away, struggling to regain her composure. "You should be focusing on your studies, Sam. That's the most important thing right now."
He nodded, but his gaze was still heavy, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Emily felt the space between them narrowing.