Laughter rippled through the group seated at the table. Their sneers and whispers cut through me, each word a tiny dagger.

“So, this is Professor Brian’s famous affair from years ago,” one man snickered.

Another chimed in, feigning innocence. “Not an affair—she was his student-turned-wife. Big difference!”

I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm. But then Brian spoke, his voice colder than I’d ever heard it.

“I don’t know her.”

Those three words shattered me.