Chapter 10
Robert Norwood had never approved of the relationship between Lena and Micah back when they got together.
Micah was eight years older than Lena, and with age came experience and calculated restraint. Hence, Robert was afraid she would end up hurt.
He hadn’t stopped worrying ever since her last phone call.
“Lena!” He saw her walking out of the airport and immediately waved her over.
“Dad!” Lena thought that she had moved on. However, all the heartache she had buried surged up and spilled over in the form of tears when she saw her father.
“My poor girl.” Robert pulled her into a tight embrace as she cried in his arms. “We won’t see him again. You’re going to stay with me from now on, okay? You’re such a wonderful girl. You’ll meet someone even better after leaving him.” He wiped the tears from Lena’s face.
Lena was slightly surprised when she got to the car and saw someone else inside.
“Lena, let me introduce you. This is Caleb Weston. He’s one of my students.”
Lena awkwardly got into the car a little. “Hi, I’m Lena,” she simply said.
Caleb noticed her uneasiness and took the initiative to talk to her. “Hey, Mr. Norwood talks about you all the time. You’re even more stunning than the photos on his phone.”
Robert had always been living abroad, but he’d still missed his daughter dearly. The lock screen on his phone was a picture of her too.
Lena blushed slightly. “Thank you.” She then paused briefly before saying, “You’re pretty handsome yourself.”
Caleb couldn’t help but laugh at her shy flattery.
Meanwhile, Robert focused on driving and didn’t interrupt them when he saw them comfortably chatting.
Caleb was easy to talk to. He could keep up with any topic from astronomy to pop culture.
“Are you joining us for dinner?” Robert was fond of him and knew how tough studying abroad could be. He would often invite him over for meals, and
this time was no different.
“Thanks, but I still have a few things to wrap up for the lab. I’m meeting with Professor Deville later tonight.” Caleb politely bid farewell to both of them and walked off after getting out of the car.
Robert glanced at Lena in the back seat and cautiously asked, “What do you think of Caleb? He’s two years younger than you, but he’s mature and well- mannered.”
Lena half–heartedly said, “Dad, I’m not thinking about having another relationship right now.” After all, she had truly loved Micah. It was impossible to walk away from him without feelings after all those years together.
She had just left a relationship that had left her bruised and tired. She truly wasn’t ready to let anyone else in yet.
Robert understood how difficult it was for her and said, “It’s good to have someone to talk to, even just as friends. Don’t keep everything bottled up.
“So, what are your next plans?”
Lena had majored in oil painting. She had once intended to pursue her further studies, but she gave up on that path after getting together with Micah.
Micah had taken such good care of her that she hardly had to lift a finger. Everything was done for her, from meals to daily needs.
She had also poured all of herself into him during those years.
She let out a bitter smile. She couldn’t tell if his love had been a form of protection or control.
She gazed out at the scenery rushing past the window. It took her a long moment before she finally said, “I’m going to pick up where I left off and continue my studies.”
Robert finally felt at ease after hearing her words. He knew just how deeply she had loved Micah over all these years and had feared that she would fall apart completely once she left him.
After seeing that she had a plan of her own, he quickly said, “I know some professors at the university. Your grades have always been good. I can introduce you to them when the time comes.”
