I didn’t have the luxury of hiding at home. Exams were scheduled, and no matter how loud the scandal was outside, I still had to show up. Pretend like I was just another student, not the daughter of a woman plastered all over the news.

Walking through the campus gates, I could feel the whispers prickling at my back. Eyes followed me everywhere. Some were curious, others judgmental, a few almost pitying—and I hated it. I hated all of it.

So I kept my head down, shoved my notes tighter against my chest, and pushed through the day. One exam, then another. Swallow it down, Laura. Just swallow it all....