You survived a four-hour revision battle with Cora over drunken noodles and cold coffee.

You celebrated Cora's conference prize at the Omni Parker House and crossed every remaining line.

Cora confronted you in the library stacks about the price of being defended.

You discovered a handwritten Arendt note that changed the entire chapter at the Bard archive.

You and Cora faced the asymmetry of what exposure would cost each of you.

You celebrated Cora's dissertation defense on the oak seminar table with bourbon and a yellow rose.

You said goodbye to Cora at the Haven Club with a handshake and no promises.

You survived the first Monday of spring semester and discovered three women waiting in your inbox.

You met Sabine, sparred with Vera, and argued with Cora — now you must choose who to answer first.

You stayed after class and answered Sabine's four questions in the Verhoeven seminar room.

You spent the night at the Devereaux estate and left through the servants' corridor at four AM.

You walked Sabine home from Delta Omega across the quad on the first warm night of spring.

You and Sabine made the Hartwell Hotel suite your own during the gala ten floors below.

You survived Maxwell's Sunday lunch and heard Sabine say she loves you for the first time.

You shared a night at the St. Regis while Sabine told you she would miss this when it ends.

You sat at the kitchen table with three pieces of paper and a decision that has not been made.

You met Vera at the Haven Club and learned you have both been waiting for something to give you permission.

You went up to the ninth floor at twelve forty-two and crossed a line six years in the making.

You survived the Crenshaw Chair presentations and traded mean questions with Vera across the committee table.

You celebrated Vera's book reaching its third printing on a Friday evening in her office.

You weathered the op-ed petition and received Vera's private declaration amid the public fallout.

You walked six blocks through the storm to Vera's bungalow and spent the blackout by firelight.

You watched Vera win the Chair unanimously and accepted her invitation to Vermont.