My PE Teacher's Forbidden Lesson - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

The bomb dropped sooner than expected. The school received an anonymous report accusing Ethan and me of misconduct—complete with photos of us kissing in public.
I knew exactly who'd done it.
My best friend, Sophia, had stumbled upon Ethan bringing me breakfast one morning, catching us in a moment that was never meant for her eyes.
When I confronted her, she didn't even deny it.
Her face twisted with bitterness, tears spilling as she hissed, "So what if it was me? Why do you get everything—the looks, the perfect guy? I liked him first! I cooked for him, bought him gifts—what did you ever do? You just waltzed in and took him!"
I stared at her, stunned. She had betrayed me—and yet, somehow, she was the wounded one?
"That's your excuse? Because you like him, he owes you something? And I was just collateral damage? I was your best friend!" My voice cracked. The disappointment cut deeper than anger ever could.
She had no shame left—just desperation.
"Think whatever you want," she spat. "I already reported you. Now, only one of you gets to stay."
That was it. Our friendship was over.
And she was right—Ethan and I had a choice to make. While the school had no official policy against teacher-student relationships, the scandal was a stain they wouldn't ignore. One of us had to go.
I wasn't reckless enough to torch my future for love. Before things escalated, I planned to end things with Ethan—clean, simple, no casualties.
But when we met to talk, he spoke first.
He'd already decided to resign.
"I'm done hiding," he said, calm but firm. He had a job lined up at a fitness center. "You don't have to worry."
In that moment, I realized something heartbreaking—he loved me more than I loved him.
I threw my arms around him, clinging tight, silently promising myself to this man who'd chosen me without hesitation.
True to his word, Ethan left the school.
The fitness center paid better anyway.
Now, there were no more secrets. He brought me breakfast in the open, walked me to class, held my hand on campus—no shadows, no guilt.
Whenever we crossed paths with Sophia, she'd duck her head and hurry past.
Her plan had backfired spectacularly. She'd lost me—and only pushed Ethan and me closer.
She couldn't even look at us anymore.
To make things easier, Ethan rented an apartment near campus.
I moved out of the dorms, leaving Sophia behind, and started a new life with him.
Two years flew by. Our relationship only grew stronger, and eventually, Ethan asked to meet my parents.
I stalled.
Not without reason.
My family was a disaster. My father was a ghost, and my mother? A walking hurricane—gambling, drinking, and leaving a trail of broken hearts in her wake.
I was terrified Ethan would see me differently if he knew. Worse, I feared my mother might set her sights on him.
She didn't love me—she loved the chase. Rich men had offered to marry her despite the "baggage" of a daughter, but she turned them all down.
Commitment bored her.
And Ethan? He was exactly her type.
Mother-daughter loyalty meant nothing to her. Her happiness came first.
That's why I kept putting it off—until Ethan started questioning if I was serious about us.
Finally, I warned him. "My mother isn't… normal."
He laughed, thinking I was exaggerating.
I didn't argue.
He'd see for himself soon enough.