Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across her desk as she read the letter. The small, neat handwriting was instantly recognizable. The letter was from her former professor, Dr. Abernathy, who she’d wrongly accused of plagiarism. It was a formal acknowledgment of his innocence and a confession of her mistake.

She stared out the window, her breath catching in her throat. The incident had cost her dearly - her degree, her reputation. She remembered the harsh public criticism, the whispers behind her back. She felt a familiar heat creeping up her neck and spreading to her face. She felt such an immense wave of regret that she could barely breathe.