Verdict
Two hours passed in tense deliberation.
Favour sat outside the tribunal room, fingers clenched, legs bouncing, eyes locked on the floor. Daniel sat beside her, but this was a battle she had to finish alone.
Finally, the panel filed back in.
Everyone rose.
Dean Obiora looked older, wearier than before.
"This panel has reviewed the evidence. Due to the documented tampering and malicious interference, all charges against Mrs. Favour Okonkwo are hereby dropped. Her academic standing will be fully restored."
A wave of relieved gasps rolled through the room.
Favour gripped the edge of her chair. She didn't move. Didn't blink.
Dean Obiora continued, "However, due to the public nature of this case and the institution's reputation, we are recommending a voluntary deferral of her program for one semester, after which she may resume her studies without penalty."
Favour stood slowly. "So I'm free… but I have to vanish for a while?"
The Dean looked at her.
"Sometimes justice is clean. And sometimes it's clothed in silence."
Favour gave a small nod. "Then I'll wear the silence. But I won't vanish."
As she turned to leave, the entire room stood again—this time, for her. She was no longer just the wife of a PhD student.
She was Favour Okonkwo: the woman who survived the knife in her back and walked away with her crown intact.