The man protests, shocked, confused, and taken aback by what I said, but I hang up without another word.
His analysis of my character was right. I once considered myself too moral to act harshly on those who’d done me wrong. But my kindness has been mistaken as a weakness one too many times—and that stops now.
I press the red button on my iPad to end the voice recording and send it to my lawyer.
What do you have in mind?Vivienne asked when I told her I could think of better ways to get me to behave.
I call her, reveling in her soft “Hey,” when she answers.
We talk as usual—her day, mine—and it’s only at the very end that I tell her to meet me at my place.
I’m about to indulge in the very information she asked for—in part through words but mostly through actions.
CHAPTER 28
VIVIENNE
I look over my NMRs one last time, referencing the molecule drawn in my modeling software.
Same number of carbons.
Same number of hydrogens.
Did I just make my final product?
I squeal as I fall back into my chair, kicking my feet in the air from excitement.
This was it. The numbers spoke for themselves. I did it. Ifuckingdid it! And the thought alone is enough to bring me to tears—joyous ones for once.
My head is already buzzing at the thought of testing my compound in cells, but first, I need to call Nate…and Evelyn, and Sutton, and Phil, and Margaret.
But most importantly, Nate, because if it weren’t for the hours I spent reviewing literature while he worked away at his presentation, I wouldn’t find myself here.
“What’s with all the screaming?” Arjun’s head pops up from behind me, eyes tracing the peaks of my H-NMR. “Another failed experiment?”
Frustration wells up inside me at the absurdity of his question, but I manage to resist the urge to punch him. This is a happy moment, one that I have worked so damn hard for. The last thing I need is for him to dampen my mood.
“Quite the contrary, actually.” I try my hardest to smile at him, but it’s tight and forced. “I made my final product.”
“You sure?” He circles a finger at the screen of my laptop. “You didn’t integrate all your peaks.”
My heart drops to my stomach as I swivel back to my screen, horrified that he could be right, before it dissipates into annoyance.
Technically, he’s not wrong—there were a few peaks that weren’t integrated. But he knows better thananyone that it’s solvent. The chemical shifts spoke for themselves. So why even mention it?
“Arjun!” Nora exclaims as she walks into the grad offices with a pep to her step.
His eyes crinkle at the corners at the sight of her. “How was the organic chemistry midterm?” he asks, starting a normal and pleasant conversation so easily with someone who isn’t me.
“I think it went well.” Nora smiles, shooting him a thumbs-up.
Arjun puts his hand up for her, and she meets it with a crisp high five. “Always knew you could do it! You’re the organic chemistry master, after all.” I shift my attention back to my laptop, disappointment riddling in my chest at the scene that’s unfolded.
Everyone but me.How is it that he’s always nice to everyonebutme?
I try not to let the sadness spoil my happy moment, but it’s hard when I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this treatment. A tear slips out on its own, and I swipe it away before rolling out of my chair, grabbing my things, and hurrying to the nearest washroom.
Glossy eyes. A red nose. Slightly flushed face.
