I thought my parents were the perfect couple until I learned about their decision to divorce.
My world began to crumble when I saw my father, a professor, in the arms of my best friend. I decided it was time to reveal the whole truth, but if only I had known where that would lead.
I walked through the university halls after crying for hours in the library. Over the weekend, my parents told me they were getting a divorce after 25 years of what I thought was a happy marriage.I couldn’t believe it; my parents had always been the epitome of a healthy relationship for me. “That’s life, Olive. We’re all adults and need to understand this,” my mom said after she and Dad broke the news.My dad worked as a professor at the same university where I studied, so I decided to visit him and talk. But as I approached his office door, my heart shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.My dad, Professor Miller, was hugging his student, who was also my best friend and neighbor, Ann! I couldn’t believe it! And this wasn’t an ordinary farewell or comforting hug; it was a long, intimate embrace.
Was it because of Ann that my parents were getting divorced? Although Ann was 21 and it was entirely legal, I couldn’t understand how they could do this to me!I decided not to make a scene and went back to the dorm to wait for Ann and figure everything out.I returned to our room but couldn’t find peace. I paced back and forth, thinking about what I would say to Ann when she returned. The room felt suffocating, and my thoughts were a chaotic storm.Finally, the door opened, and a smiling Ann walked in. Her carefree demeanor only fueled my anger.“You look very happy,” I said.“Is that a problem?” Ann asked.“No. Where have you been?” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Just out for a walk,” Ann said casually.“Mmm, just a walk, huh?”“Olive, is everything okay? Do you want to talk about something?” Ann asked, looking concerned.“Yes, I want to know why my best friend was hugging my dad!” I blurted out.“Um… I…” Ann stammered, her face turning pale.“What, nothing to say?”“Olive, it’s not what you think,” Ann said, trying to calm me down.“I don’t need to think. I saw you hugging in his office!” I shouted, feeling betrayed.“I needed help with my presentation, which you should start working on too, and Professor Miller agreed to help,” Ann explained.“Yeah, I also hug every professor who helps me,” I said sarcastically, crossing my arms.“I said I was very nervous, and he decided to comfort me,” Ann said.“Why don’t I believe you? You’re my best friend; why can’t you just tell me the truth?” I demanded.“Okay, the truth is… I have a crush on Mr. Miller,” Ann admitted, looking down.
“Oh my God,” I whispered.“No, Olive, Olive, nothing more, I promise. I’m too young for him, and besides, he’s married,” Ann said quickly.“Not anymore; my parents told me over the weekend that they’re getting a divorce,” I revealed.“Oh, Olive, I’m so sorry,” Ann said, stepping closer to hug me. “But it doesn’t change anything, I promise.”“Swear on our friendship,” I said, needing reassurance.“I swear. Why didn’t you say anything about your parents’ divorce?” Ann asked gently.“I haven’t fully processed it yet,” I admitted, feeling a tear roll down my cheek.
Ann stroked my hair. “There’s a party at the neighboring campus, and I think I know how we can lift your spirits,” she said with a sly smile.I managed a small smile. “Why not.”Ann hugged me again, and for a moment, I felt a little better. Maybe everything would be okay after all.I decided to trust Ann and no longer suspected her of having a relationship with my father, but some anxiety still lingered within me.One evening, Ann and I were in our room; I was reviewing my presentation for the next day, hoping to win a grant for a year of study abroad.Ann was in the shower, and her phone was on my desk. Suddenly, she received a message: “Okay, see you in my office.” The number was not signed.I knew it was an invasion of privacy, but my curiosity got the better of me. I opened the message and saw the conversation.
It didn’t take a genius to guess who Ann was texting. I couldn’t believe she was deceiving me like this! I trusted her, and she was seeing my father behind my back. When Ann came out of the shower, she was already dressed.“I’m going for a walk,” she said, grabbing her bag and taking her phone. She kissed me on the cheek. “Don’t miss me,” she added and left the room.Missing her was the last thing on my mind. I needed proof of her relationship with my father, and I knew where to find it without being noticed.
So I left almost immediately after Ann and went to the building where my father’s office was. I saw him and Ann leaving the office, his hand on her back as they walked.I waited until they were out of sight and entered the office. I rummaged through all my dad’s documents and drawers, checked all his mail, but found nothing indicating a relationship with Ann.Then, I saw something sticking out of the pocket of his jacket on the chair. It was a small piece of fabric, barely visible. I approached and pulled it out, my heart pounding. It was a woman’s bra!Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the hallway, and panic surged through me. I quickly hid under the desk, my breathing shallow. The office door opened, and I saw my father’s and Ann’s legs entering the room.“Almost forgot my jacket,” my father said as he walked toward the desk, right where I was hiding. If he looked down, he would see me.“We need to hurry; we have a reservation,” Ann said, sounding a bit anxious.
“Yes, I’m coming,” my father replied. He grabbed the jacket from the chair.I held my breath, praying they wouldn’t notice me. I heard their footsteps moving away, then the door closed behind them. I exhaled, feeling a rush of relief and anger. “Gotcha,” I thought, clutching the bra tightly in my hand.The next day, I stood in the hallway, repeatedly going over my presentation while others presented. My stomach churned with nerves.
My father approached me, looking nervous. “Olive, Ann told me about your conversation and that you suspect we’re seeing each other,” he said.“It’s not a suspicion; I’m sure of it,” I replied, my voice cold.“I’m afraid you misunderstood; I need to tell you something important,” my father said.“Then tell me,” I demanded, crossing my arms.“The thing is, Ann—” he started, but before he could finish, I was called to present. I felt a surge of frustration. “We’ll talk later,” I said, taking a deep breath and walking into the hall.
I was already angry about the whole situation with my father and Ann, and now he decided to tell me about his affair right before my presentation.I felt the bra in my pocket and knew what I would do. I wouldn’t let Ann and my father get away with it.Despite being distracted by thoughts of my father and best friend’s betrayal, my presentation went well. The entire hall gave me a standing ovation.I looked at my father, who said, “I’m proud of you.”For a moment, I wondered if I was doing the right thing, but decided it was too late to back down. Everyone must know the truth. I took the microphone again.“I want to thank everyone who came today. I’m glad you enjoyed my presentation,” I began, my voice trembling. “But I have something important to say.”I cleared my throat and looked at Ann, who had a bewildered expression on her face. “The fact is, something serious is happening within our university walls that goes beyond academics. The university’s reputation is at stake because Professor Miller is in a relationship with his student Ann!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the hall.The entire hall gasped, and I felt the weight of my words settle over the room like a thick fog.
I pulled the bra out of my pocket and held it up for everyone to see. “Here is what I found in Mr. Miller’s office after he was there with Ann!” I declared.I saw Ann run out of the hall in tears, and for a moment, my heart ached. Despite everything, she was still my best friend. But I believed I had done the right thing.I saw the dean rise to the stage to escort me. “I’ll go on my own, thank you,” I said, not wanting to cause any more drama than I already had. I left the hall, feeling a twisted satisfaction.My furious father rushed to me as soon as I stepped outside. “How could you do this to me and Ann?! Do you realize the consequences?!” he shouted.“How could I do this?! You cheated on Mom with your student! A girl almost the same age as your daughter!” I shouted back, the betrayal cutting deep.“Ann is my daughter!” my father shouted, his words hitting me like a physical blow.“What?! No, that’s impossible,” I said.“A few years before you were born, your mother and I separated for a while. I was a jerk and slept with Ann’s mother to cope with the breakup. I was such a jerk that her mother didn’t want me to know I had a daughter. So I only found out recently when Ann told me herself. She specifically enrolled in the university to be closer to me,” my father explained.“Is that why you and Mom are divorcing?”“What? Of course not. Your mother and I loved each other very much, and that love will stay with me forever. But in the last few years, our relationship has deteriorated. We became strangers. We decided to wait until you went to college before filing for divorce. But now I realize that was a mistake,” my father said.“But there was still a woman’s bra in your office, meaning you cheated on Mom with someone else,” I said.
“It’s your mother’s. After we filed for divorce, everything became much simpler. One evening, she visited you and also came to my office. Passion took over, and here’s the result,” he said, looking embarrassed.
I winced at the thought that I’d been carrying my mother’s bra all this time.Soon after, another professor came out into the hallway and said they were about to announce the results.I looked at my father. “Go on; we’ll discuss everything later,” he said, his voice tired and resigned.During the announcement of the results, I was told that I was disqualified for violating the presentation rules.I couldn’t hold back my tears. I had dreamed of this grant, but I had ruined everything myself. My heart felt heavy with regret and sadness.I went to my father’s office to continue our conversation. As I approached, I saw the dean leaving, looking serious. Taking a deep breath, I entered the office. My father looked up, his face tired and filled with concern.“What were you talking about?” I asked, my voice trembling.“The dean advised me to resign and transfer to another university,” my father replied, his face showing the strain of the conversation. “Rumors will spread throughout the university, and it will greatly damage my reputation.”“I’m sorry,” I said, tears welling up. “I should have figured everything out first. I should have talked to you. If I had known—”
My father interrupted me. “It’s too late to change anything. We both face the consequences of your rash decisions.”“I’m sorry, I’m very sorry,” I repeated, my voice breaking.“You need to apologize to Ann,” my father said firmly.“Yes, I know. I’ll go look for her,” I said, feeling the weight of my mistakes. My father just nodded sadly, his eyes reflecting his disappointment.I walked through the university halls, crying, realizing that my jealousy and rash decisions had ruined my relationships with two important people and taken away my chance to study where I had dreamed.
My heart felt heavy with regret as I thought about how different things could have been if I had just taken the time to understand the truth.
