The professor’s voice was warm and filled with enthusiasm. They expressed their admiration for my work and eagerly asked when I could start.
I hadn’t shared this opportunity with Cohen, not with the pregnancy and wedding preparations weighing on my mind. I had planned to enroll in the fall, but I had delayed it until winter.
"I’ll be able to join soon," I said, my voice barely concealing the excitement that bubbled inside me.
The professor was kind, offering a warm welcome and even providing me with the contact details of someone in the overseas American association. To my surprise, I recognized the name immediately.
Having grown up in the Whitmore family, my world had always felt small, and my social circle was limited. I never imagined someone abroad would actually know me.
I dialed the number, my fingers trembling with uncertainty.
"Giselle, aren’t you still in the country?"
It seemed she truly did know me.
The news of the plagiarism accusation had spread like wildfire, and I was desperate to explain myself. I poured out my side of the story, hoping for understanding, but the line fell silent.
When I finished speaking, I added one final line, my voice steady but filled with resolve: