Chapter 2 - The Signature in Blue Ink
The ceremony resumed, but Bea scarcely heard another name.
At the edge of the stage, a young faculty member named Professor Hannah Reyes led her to a quiet office beside the registrar's suite.
Hannah brought water and offered to hold Liam while Bea read.
Bea declined at first, then let the professor cradle him where she could see every movement.
Dr. Cruz entered carrying a thin folder.
"I should have contacted you privately," he said.
"We confirmed the problem only yesterday, and I was afraid the file might disappear before we could put the matter on record."
Bea was not comforted.
"You made me stand in front of everyone while you told me I'd been cheated."
Cruz accepted the criticism without defending himself.
"You're right."
He slid a photocopy across the desk.
The application bore her correct name, university identification number, and a neat blue signature beside the words DECLINED BY APPLICANT.
Bea had never signed it.
On the next page, the scholarship benefit had been reassigned to a student called Celeste Velasco.
Carmina's niece.
Bea studied the date.
That afternoon, she had been helping her mother at the market after Elena collapsed in the heat.
They had spent the following night in a public hospital waiting room.
"I wasn't even on campus," she said.
Hannah examined the handwriting.
"Do you have anything from that day?"
Bea had her mother's old notebook, filled with medicine schedules and grocery sums.
Elena had recorded the hospital admission in a careful hand.
Cruz explained that the scholarship was funded by a trust created under Elena's name, but the donor's identity had been shielded by a lawyer.
"Your mother wasn't simply the person being honored," he said.
"She may have helped establish its purpose."
Bea shook her head.
Elena had washed uniforms, repaired schoolbags, and counted coins at midnight.
She had never had spare money for a university fund.
A sharp knock interrupted them.
The door opened before Cruz could answer.
Carmina stood outside with her son, Victor Velasco, who wore a trustee's pin on his lapel.
"President Cruz," Victor said, "our family would like to discuss the announcement."
His glance passed over Bea without stopping.
"Privately."
Bea rose.
"Then you can start by telling me why your niece got my award."
Victor's smile disappeared.
Carmina said, "You have no idea what you're accusing people of."
"I know my name is on a document I didn't sign."
For one moment, Carmina looked frightened.
Then she recovered.
"Your mother made arrangements she never told you about."
Bea felt cold.
"What arrangements?"
Carmina's answer was barely audible.
May you like
"Ask her where the money came from."
