Meanwhile, Bella was happy.
Well, why wouldn't she be? After everything that had happened, she had been given a second chance.
The professor had called her personally. Her voice was tired, apologetic, almost embarrassed.
"Mrs. Moretti," she had said, "I owe you an apology."
Bella had frozen, her phone pressed to her ear, her heart pounding.
The professor continued, "I should have listened to you. When you came to my office, when you tried to tell me what had happened, I was too busy. Too stressed. Too focused on the annual day to care about anything else." Her voice cracked. "That was wrong of me. I am sorry."
Bella's eyes filled with tears.
"I am giving you the opportunity to present your work," the professor said. "Alone on your own terms. You have one week to prepare. And if there is anything you need, anything at all, please let me know."
