The Love Letter I Should've Thrown Away novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Decided For Me

Phoebe told me at six, over a pot of tea she hadn't touched.

She said it all at once.

"Micah went to the dean this morning," she said. "He told her about the papers. Every one. He's lost the fellowship and the teaching post, and he's not allowed on campus."

I put my cup down.

It missed the saucer and clattered.

"He what?"

"He gave her the files and the bank deposits. He did it so his secret couldn't be used against you." She watched my face. "I told him I'd wait until tonight. It's tonight."

"He didn't tell me."

"I know."

"He sat next to me on the observatory steps yesterday and never said a word about the dean."

"I know."

"He decided." My voice rose, and the cat jumped off the couch. "He decided what I could stand to know, and what it would cost, and who should pay it."

"Cora."

"No." I was on my feet. "Two years ago he put a letter in my mailbox and left the country. Now he's wrecked his whole life without asking me, and he's calling it love."

"He didn't call it anything."

"He doesn't have to. He's done it again."

Phoebe let me walk to the window and back.

She was very still, and she didn't say anything that was meant to be soothing, which I was grateful for.

"Can I say something?" she said when I stopped.

"If it's fair."

"It's fair, and you won't like it."

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