along
Chapter 15
It was afternoon by the time Clara’s flight landed in Falverton. She spotted someone she hadn’t seen in a while–her former professor, Selina Yates,
waiting by the arrivals area.
During Clara’s senior year, Selina quit her job at Aeloria College to start her own business. Three years later, she had firmly planted herself in Sunstone
Valley.
It was Selina’s job offer that had been the push Clara needed to move abroad. Selina, who was in her early 30s, had always been close with her students at the college.
Now, out in the professional world, she seemed even more down–to–earth. The second she spotted Clara, she waved with a big smile.
*Clara! It’s been way too long!” she said.
Clara rolled her suitcase over while grinning. “Professor Yates! It’s been ages!”
“I’m not a professor anymore. Just call me Selina if you want.
Her easygoing, friendly vibe helped Clara settle in, especially since she was still trying to find her footing in the new country. Clara happily agreed and called her by her name.
Selina smiled and hummed in response. She took Clara’s arm and led her toward home.
On the way back, the two of them talked about old times–everything from funny class moments to farewell parties. They both felt nostalgic.
“Clara, remember when you finished your master’s six months ago, and I invited you to Amethria, but you turned me down?What made you change your mind all of a sudden?” Selina asked.
Clara’s gaze went blank for a second, but she quickly snapped out of it. After a moment of thinking, she replied carefully, “Back then, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next, and with everything happening with my family, the idea of moving abroad just didn’t sit right with me.
find
a new dream once I’m
“But now, I’ve figured things out. I’m not sure what’s next, but I decided to just dive in and see where it takes me. Maybe I’ll fi on the journey.”
Having been through similar uncertainty in her own career, Selina understood where Clara was coming from and offered some comforting words. “That’s how life is. You figure it out step by step. Look at me–I taught at a college for years before I realized I wasn’t cut out for the whole academic life. That’s why I decided to try something different.
“You’re still young. It’s totally normal to feel a little lost, but if you’re brave enough to take the first step, I’m sure you’ll find your way. Seeing Selina’s success gave Clara the boost she needed.
Once they parked. Selina took Clara up to the apartment. It was a standard two–bedroom, one–living–room la sunlight.
layout. It faced south and got plenty of
There was a supermarket right downstairs. The rooms were clean and bright, which eased some of the exhaustion weighing on Clara Selina gave her a quick tour and went over a few important details before taking her out for a meal. Afterward, they stopped by the supermarket to grab
some essentials.
When they got back, Selina lett her address and headed out, not wanting to overstay her welcome.
of disconnection settled over her.
Clara took a shower, then lay on the bed while staring at the darkening sky outside the window. A strange sense o Just yesterday, at this exact hour, she’d been at the villa in feston, curled up in a blanket, watching heavy snow fall outside the window. Now, she was across the ocean, starting over on her own
The room was completely still. Her mind wandered in all sorts of directions, and soon enough, she drifted off to sleep.
Clara’s dream took her to Daimon’s wedding. This time, Giselle didn’t run off–she actually married him. Clara watched as they exchanged rings and promised to spend their lives together.
As they hugged and shared their big, celebratory kiss in the midst of everyone’s well wishes, Clara slipped away, heading back to the quiet campus to lose herself in three more years of study.
After graduation, she flew to Amethria to start a new life and never looked back. In that brief lifetime, her only connection to Damon was the four years they’d spent as clasunites.
After that, they’d gone their separate ways. She remained nothing
g more than a stranger whose paine he never quite remembered
The next morning, Clara woke up feeling off–maybe the dream had been a little too real. She wasn’t sure if what she’d just experienced was a memory or a dream. Mar sat alone on the couch for a long time.
dated noon, a call from Seline finally pulled her back to reality. “Clara, you up yet? I’m downstairs. Feel like grabbing lunch?”
