Page 59 of Omega's Fire

“A sabbatical request, submitted via email at 3 AM.” Jones finally looks up, his expression smugly satisfied. “Of course, given his... circumstances... I think it would be better for everyone if he simply withdrew from the program entirely.”

His circumstances. His pregnancy.

“You can’t force a student to withdraw because he’s pregnant.” My voice is deadly quiet.

“I’m not forcing anything.” Jones leans back in his leather chair. “I’m simply exercising our discretion about sabbatical requests. Mr. Torres is free to reapply next year.”

Red edges creep into my vision. This man, this bureaucratic parasite, is using his petty authority to punish Leo.

“Give me his contact information.” I lean forward, letting every ounce of alpha authority I possess color my voice. “Now.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Jones’s smile doesn’t waver. “Student privacy, you understand.”

Something snaps.

“Then you have my resignation as well.” I stand abruptly, the chair scraping against polished floors. “Effective immediately.”

Jones’s composure finally cracks. “Nash, don’t be hasty.”

I turn toward the door, done with this conversation, done with this place. “Find someone else to be your controversial faculty member. I quit.”

The door slams behind me, but the victory feels hollow. I’ve burned yet another professional bridge because of Leo. And I don’t care. He is still missing.

My phone buzzes. A text from an unknown number:This is Leo’s mother. He’s safe. He’s with me.

Relief hits so hard I have to lean against my car to stay upright. Safe. He’s safe.

I type back immediately: Thank you for letting me know. Is he okay? Does he need anything?

The response comes quickly:He needs time. Please respect that.

Time. I can do that. The desperate panic that’s been clawing at my chest since Halvorsen’s call begins to ease.

My phone rings before I can process the relief fully. Halvorsen’s name flashes on the screen.

“I heard you quit,” he says without preamble.

“Leo’s safe,” I reply instead of addressing his statement. “His mother has him.”

“Thank God.” Genuine relief colors his voice. “And your job?”

I look back at the university buildings. “I don’t give a shit.”

“Good for you,” Halvorsen says. “What are you going to do now?”

I unlock my car, sliding behind the wheel with a strange sense of finality. I’ve now lost two jobs for the love of my life who may never forgive me because I screwed up.

“Wait,” I say, starting the engine. “Give him the time he needs.

I can only hope it’s enough.

Leo

“Come on, sweetheart.” Mom’s voice carries the same forced brightness she used throughout my teenage years when Dad and I were fighting. “Let’s get you inside and get you cleaned up.”

I grip my laptop close and the bag of books that still smell like dumpsters and get out of the car. At least I’ll get to have a proper shower. I never intended to come back here and I’ve always known that was about pride more than anything else.

Pride. Look where that got me.

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