Stole My Thesis, I Chose Overseas Study

I was wrapping up my master's degree and hunting for a job when I brought it up to my boyfriend. I asked if he could write me a letter of recommendation for my applications in his capacity as a Maple University professor. He scowled and snapped at me, "People need to be fair. Stop always looking for backdoor shortcuts." I was mortified by his words. After that, I poured all my energy into prepping for interviews, grinding day and night to get ready. But right after I finished my interviews, I passed the Maple University bulletin board and saw a notice that made my blood run cold: my classmate, Ramona, had successfully landed a job at the university, listed as the spouse of my boyfriend. And to make it even worse, they were actually legally married, with a valid marriage license. All of a sudden, I was the other woman. When I confronted him about it, he said, "Ramona's my advisor's daughter, this isn't a backdoor deal. As for that marriage license... once her job is fully settled, I'll get a divorce and marry you, I promise." I huffed a cold, bitter laugh, turned on my heel, and joined my lab mate's research team to go abroad for further studies. This time, I was ditching that rotten deadbeat and our messed-up, dead-end relationship for good. ***** I shoved my way through the cluster of people crowded around the notice board, finally getting a clear view of the public list of successful research fellow candidates for Maple University. I scanned the page over and over, line by line, but my name was nowhere to be found on that thin sheet of paper. I let out a long sigh. Of course, I didn't make it. The competition for spots at Maple University was cutthroat, after all. I was just about to turn and leave when a girl standing next to me pointed at the special talent recruitment list lower down and gasped. "Ugh, I'm so jealous of people married to PhDs! They can get into Maple University just by riding their spouse's coattails." I huffed a little to myself. My boyfriend's a PhD too, and I still didn't get in. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a familiar name on that very list: Daniel Hawthorne. The entry was crystal clear: Incoming Research Fellow: Ramona Hawthorne, Spouse: Daniel Hawthorne. My knees went weak, and I swayed on my feet like I'd just been struck by lightning. Wasn't Ramona Daniel's junior fellow from the same lab? If they were married, what the hell did that make me? The side piece? A total fool? I dialed Daniel's number immediately. "Hello? Dan, I—" "Didn't I tell you not to call me during the day? I might be in class," he cut me off sharply. Before I could say another word, he hung up straight in my face. Staring at my phone as it chirped the beep-beep of the disconnected line, I refused to give up. I turned and headed straight for his office. I hadn't even pushed the door open when I heard a woman's soft voice drift out. "Danny, thank you so much. I never would've gotten into Maple University without you." "No need to be so polite, Ramona. If Maple University hadn't suddenly changed their policy to only hire PhDs or PhD spouses, you wouldn't have had to do this at all," he replied. "But won't Chelsea be upset about this? Maybe I should go explain it to her," she said, sounding all sweet and concerned. "Don't waste your time on her. She couldn't even get into Maple University on her own. She'd just throw a jealous fit and make a scene," he said dismissively. "Okay, then. Let me treat you to dinner today to say thanks." "Sure." I pulled out my phone and sent him a message. Chelsea: I didn't get the position today. I'm really upset. Can you have dinner with me? I heard a sharp ding from his phone inside the office, but minutes ticked by and I never got a reply. I could picture it perfectly: he'd pick up his phone, see my message, scowl in annoyance, then toss the phone aside without a second thought. The office door swung open, and I scrambled to hide out of sight. All I saw was Daniel and Ramona, chatting and laughing as they walked off side by side. I went back to our apartment and sat on the couch until the middle of the night. That was when Daniel finally showed up. "Did you see the message I sent you?" I asked. He froze mid-step, then snapped at me, irritated, "What message? I'm swamped with work every single day. I don't have time to keep tabs on your every little message 24/7." "Did you even know I got rejected from the Maple researcher position I interviewed for?" I frowned. He shrugged. "With your level, it's totally normal you didn't get in." It felt like an invisible, iron-tight hand was squeezing my heart hard. "My level? I've been at the top of our department every single year, and I've won more awards in our field than I can count." I couldn't hold back the bitter question that burst out next. "Ramona has never won a single award, and she waltzed right into Maple as your actual spouse. Meanwhile, I had to beg you to write me one lousy recommendation letter using your status as a Maple professor, and yet you refused. Don't you think she's the one who's trying to have shortcuts?" "So you found out?" He didn't sound the least bit guilty. If anything, he was annoyed I'd dug up his secret. "It's just one researcher interview, don't be so aggressive. Ramona applied for tons of other jobs and got rejected from all of them. She's my late advisor's daughter, for crying out loud. I couldn't just turn a blind eye and do nothing after he passed." "So my job doesn't matter? Since she's your legal wife now, what does that make me? The other woman?" My voice cracked as hot tears welled up in my throat. Daniel's tone softened immediately, like he was trying to soothe a spooked cat. "Chels, this is all just a temporary fix. The second her job is secure, I'll file for divorce, and we'll have the huge, fancy wedding you've always wanted." My resolve softened for a stupid, split second, and I agreed again. "Fine. But you're not allowed to have any contact with her outside of work, understand?" "Sure."