academics, my voice steady as I laid out my research proposal. For twenty minutes, I spoke with a clarity and passion I didn't know I possessed

but also with a quiet sense of confidence. I

inbox. The subject line was "Offer of

film of tears. "Dear Ms. Miller, it is with great pl

ob. It wasn't just an acceptance letter. It was a key. It was the key to

rison cell, her potential wasted, her name disgraced. They were for my parents in that life, who had been destroye

f that suffering, I lai

n Ha

so many lives. This victory was not just for me; it was the first step in my karmic retribution against him. He wou

of going, but my parents insisted, wanting to celebrate my success. As I stoo

hands roamed her back freely, and at one point, he dipped her low and kissed h

entrance, his face a thundercloud of disapproval. I

d the fury on his lips from across the room. "This is a formal event, not

fed, pulling Ch

th arrogance. "Chloe is with me. And soon, everyone will k

urning and walking away, his shoulders slumped in defeat

untouchable. He believed he could have everything he wanted wi

xt morning. It was a formality, a public send-off for the five stud

of my luggage, when there was a knock on

er?" one of

es

plaint. You need

at?" I asked, my hear

, just come with us," the guard said,

ng. They took my phone and told me to wait. It was a setup. Ethan's final, desperat

he departure ceremony came and went. I imagined the other four stu

n, the door opened. A d

back my phone. "There was a... mix-up w

up. Of

heart heavy with a false sense of defeat

m waiting for me. Ethan and Chloe, standing by t

sked, her voice syrupy sweet. "We were so wor

event. Professor Albright even mentioned you, said it w

ey thought they had crushed m

bad, Sarah. Not everyone is cut out for the big leagu

aged! And Ethan is leaving his program early. We're going to move

, so certain of their victory, that they didn't notice t

s opening, or the men in

't see th

ace stepped forward, leading a small press corps. They w

heir focus entirely on the h

istaking the reporters' interest f

he lead reporter asked,

othing down her d

datory. "We'd like to ask you a few questi

color drained from her cheeks. The p