3: 3
Not long after, the school called.
Lucretia's academic advisor, Julie Sullivan, sounded grave.
"Mrs. Henson, the school has seen the videos about Lucretia that are circulating online."
"We need you both to come to the college right away and explain what happened."
I asked, "Has the school gotten to the bottom of it?"
Julie paused a beat.
"That's exactly why we need your cooperation, because it isn't settled yet."
"But the public reaction right now is very bad, and Lucretia is a recommendation candidate. Her position is sensitive."
Patrick laughed out loud beside her.
"Go on, then. Let the school see what kind of character deserves a grad-school slot."
On the way to campus, Lucretia kept gripping the strap of her backpack.
I saw the ring of bruises around her wrist.
The old woman had clawed those into her.
In my last life, there were marks on that wrist too. Only then, they'd been cut in with a blade.
She said quietly, "Mom, I'm scared they don't want me anymore."
"They will."
"They all know who I am now. They'll come corner me at my dorm, they'll call my professors, they'll say I'm a fraud."
I tightened my grip on the wheel.
"Lucretia, you didn't test your way this far by making them like you."
The car turned in through the gates of Harbor City University.
People were already waiting at the entrance, phones raised.
"Is that her?"
"The counterfeit girl's here."
Lucretia's head dropped on instinct.
I stopped walking.
"Head up."
Then I took her hand and walked her past every one of those cameras.
Inside the college office were Julie, Michael Gilbert, and the associate dean who oversaw student affairs.
Several screenshots of web pages were laid out on the desk.
Each headline more glaring than the last.
Elite University Student Uses Counterfeit Cash to Cheat Old Shrimp Seller
Recommendation Student's Character Exposed
Julie sighed. "Lucretia, you tell us what happened first."
Lucretia's voice shook. "I didn't give her any money, and I never touched her shrimp."
The associate dean frowned. "In the video, you're clearly holding cash in your hand."
"That was money my mom gave me. She took it back afterward."
Patrick sneered. "Who can prove that?"
The old woman had barely settled into her chair before she started crying. "Professor, an educated person shouldn't go against their conscience."
Michael turned to me. "Mrs. Henson, the school would like to bring the impact down first."
I asked, "Bring it down how?"
Julie hesitated. "Have Lucretia put out a statement first. Admit that she communicated improperly and caused the elderly woman harm."
Lucretia's head snapped up. "Professor, I did nothing wrong."
Julie frowned. "No one's asking you to admit you used counterfeit money. Just to apologize."
I smiled. "And after the apology? The internet will say, See, she admitted it."
"The old woman will say, See, she's guilty."
The office went quiet.
The associate dean rapped his knuckles on the desk. "Mrs. Henson, we're protecting Lucretia too."
I looked at him. "Protecting her, or protecting the school's name?"
Patrick jumped straight in. "You hear that? Even the school's telling you to apologize."
"And we're not asking for much. Two hundred grand, plus Lucretia bows to my mother at a school assembly, and we'll call it done."
Lucretia's eyes went wide. "Two hundred thousand?"
Madeline hugged the child and wept. "My mother-in-law was so upset she's in the hospital. Is two hundred thousand really so much?"
Right then, Lucretia's phone buzzed like mad.
She glanced at it and went rigid all over.
In the class group chat, Joanna had posted a screenshot of Lucretia's recommendation notice.
Her name, her major, her list of awards, all of it right there.
Joanna had added a line.
"Everyone please stop sharing this. Lucy's already under so much pressure."
But the moment she posted it, everyone knew.
Lucretia's identity was fully exposed.
Her hand jerked, and the phone hit the floor.
Michael and the associate dean conferred in low voices, then looked over at us.
"Lucretia, until this is cleared up, the college recommends suspending your recommendation process."
Lucretia's eyes went red in an instant. "On what grounds?"
The associate dean's tone dropped. "This is to protect the overall reputation of the school."
I stood up. "No investigation. No evidence."
"Just one edited video and a crowd making a scene, and that's enough to suspend her recommendation?"
Michael said, "It's only a suspension."
I stared at him. "A suspension is still a punishment."
Patrick laughed beside me. "Should've done this from the start, right?"
The old woman wiped at her tears. "Child, Grandma isn't trying to ruin you. Grandma just wants you to learn to be honest."
Lucretia stood there like she'd been slapped across the face.
I took her hand. "Lucy, let's go."
When we stepped out of the college building, a ring of students had already gathered outside.
"That's her."
"The counterfeit girl."
"Heard she's losing her grad-school slot."
"Serves her right."
Lucretia's steps slowed and slowed.
I pulled her along. "Don't listen."
Head down, her voice barely audible, she said, "Mom, I'm so tired."
Pain shot through my chest.
In my last life, the last thing she ever sent me was those same three words.
