My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 363

Emily Blair spoke softly. “I think it’s tonight.”

Tonight…

Ms. Carter’s lashes fluttered. Suddenly, she stepped forward and grabbed Emily’s hand, her voice urgent and low.

“Listen to me. You don’t have to be so honest—when you write your statement, don’t include every single detail. Edit it yourself. Leave out anything that makes you look bad—like those bits where you said you were jealous or acted foolish. Be smart about it. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re blamed no matter what, understand?”

Ms. Carter’s face was so anxious, it seemed like she might burst into tears if Emily refused.

Emily could only nod. “Okay. I understand.”

Ms. Carter wasn’t done. “Once your statement is out, ignore what the principal and the dean said about taking time off. They’re just trying to scare you. Finals are coming up, and you need to keep up with your classes. Be in school tomorrow, study hard, and aim for top scores. If you can graduate at the top of your class, you’ll go off to college in the capital, and you’ll never have to deal with this mess again.”

A sharp ache twisted in Emily’s chest. “...Alright. I get it. Thank you, Ms. Carter.”

She squeezed Ms. Carter’s hand in return, her voice even lower. “Ms. Carter, please… don’t get involved in my problems after this. I’ve already caused you enough trouble. I really don’t want you getting dragged into this anymore, okay? No matter what happens next, don’t go up against the principal for my sake. It isn’t worth it. Take care of yourself. That’s the only way I’ll have peace of mind.”

Ms. Carter pressed her lips together, her eyes a little red. “Alright. I understand.”

When it was time to leave, Ms. Carter walked her to the gates.

Emily paused outside, looking back one last time.

Ms. Carter stood just inside, watching her with a smile and waving.

Emily smiled and waved back.

Emily set out to find Elizabeth Wilson.

Elizabeth had dropped out of school a couple of weeks ago, throwing herself into running a food stall. Emily had tried to talk her out of it, but Elizabeth was stubborn. Nothing could make her change her mind—not even if you tied a team of wild horses to her.

When Emily found her, Elizabeth was in the thick of things at her barbecue stand, working up a sweat. The first person Emily saw was Elizabeth herself. The next was a man in a rumpled suit, standing at the stall’s counter.

He had his back to Emily, so she couldn’t see his face. She could tell he was tall but skinny, swimming in his cheap suit. His hair was a mess, tossed about by the wind, long enough to cover his ears and the back of his neck.

It was Xavier Gonzalez.

She hadn’t even reached the stall when she heard Elizabeth snapping, “If you’re done eating, pay up and get lost. I’m busy. Don’t have time to babysit you.”