The Night He Forged My Signature, I Confirmed My Exchange Spot Chapter 09

The Night He Forged My Signature, I Confirmed My Exchange Spot Chapter 09

The pre-departure dorm bed was narrow, but I slept better than I had in weeks.

The next morning, the program coordinator called me in to sign an integrity affidavit.

When I reached the office door, I heard raised voices inside.

Nathan’s voice, low and tight. “I submitted the withdrawal request. Put any disciplinary action on

my record, not hers.”

The director’s reply was cool. “Nathan, forging a student’s signature already affects your eligibility

for institutional recommendations.”

A pause. “I accept that.”

I pushed the door open.

Nathan spun around, caught off guard. “What are you doing here?”

I handed my documents to the director. “Here to sign.”

She nodded and motioned me to sit.

Nathan kept looking at me, like he wanted to say something.

I didn’t look back.

While the director printed the disciplinary notice, Megan burst in, pale and shaking.

“Ms. Cartwright, you can’t take away Nathan’s recommendation! He only did that for me!”

The director’s voice hardened. “Megan Ashford, your sponsorship materials are also under

review.”

Megan froze. “Review for what?”

The director turned her tablet around. “Your psychological evaluation date doesn’t match hospital records. The hospital confirmed that the evaluation template you submitted wasn’t issued by their

office.”

Nathan’s head snapped toward Megan. “Megan?”

Megan’s tears started flowing instantly. “I was just scared you wouldn’t come with me. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

Nathan’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

The director continued, “Your eligibility is suspended pending verification.”

Megan grabbed Nathan’s sleeve. “Nathan-help me explain. I was just terrified.”

Nathan slowly pulled his arm away.

She stared at him like she’d never seen him before. “You never used to pull away from me.”

His voice cracked. “You lied to me?”

Megan laughed through her tears. “Lied? You were the one who kept saying Bethany was steady. You said she wouldn’t leave. You were the one who volunteered to sign all those papers.”

The office went dead silent.

Nathan looked at me.

I knew he was searching my face for some kind of reaction.

But I just signed my name and slid the paper back.

The director filed it. “Bethany, your eligibility remains unaffected. Group visa submission is day

after tomorrow.”

I said, “Thank you.”

Nathan’s voice came out raw. “Bethany. I didn’t know her evaluation was fake.”

I nodded. “I know.”

He blinked. “You’re not angry at me?”

I put my pen away. “I was.”

That two words made his eyes go red.

Megan let out a broken laugh. “Congratulations, Bethany. You win. Are you happy now?”

I looked at her. “I didn’t win anything.”

She gritted her teeth. “Then why won’t you help Nathan? You know he only did it for me.”

I said, “He forged my signature. That discipline is his to carry.”

Nathan dropped his head, like those words had pinned him in place.

Megan started to argue again, but an administrator stepped in and escorted her out. Her gray scarf

fell to the floor.

“N” engraved on the tag.

Nathan picked it up and stared at it.

I walked past him.

He said suddenly, “Bethany. The things I gave you before-you don’t keep any of them anymore?”

I stopped. “Some I returned. Some I donated.”

His voice strained. “The hoodie?”

I looked at the white bed sheets flapping on the line outside the window.

“Taking it with me day after tomorrow.”

Nathan lifted his head, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

I added. “Not to Ashton City. To the donation bin.”