Elizabeth’s POV

I had felt the whispers before I heard them.

The way conversations stopped when I entered a room. The way eyes flickered to me, then away, too quickly, as if they were afraid I might notice. At first, I told myself it was in my head. But lies have short legs, and soon the truth caught up.

Two girls at the next table didn’t even bother lowering their voices in the cafeteria.

“They say she stays after class with him.”

“With the professor?”

“Mhm. And I heard ...