Chapter 16: Becoming Whole Again
Chloe felt unusually distracted that night in her room. She decisively closed the book in front of her and rubbed her temples. No matter how much she tried to deny it, the scene she had witnessed earlier with Julian had affected her deeply. She never imagined that one day Julian would provoke such intense emotions in her.
Despite her efforts to move on and tell herself that the past was behind her, she couldn’t shake off the image of Julian kissing Layla. It played over and over in her mind, and the more she tried to focus, the more unsettled she became.
water and drank it, hoping to clear her tions. She had no time to waste–every
Walking into the kitchen, Chloe poured herself a glass of ic head. She couldn’t allow Julian to continue influencing her lost day was a setback. There were people who still believed in her, and the last thing she wanted was to disappoint them.
After regaining some composure, she returned to her desk and opened the books Lauren had given her. They were advanced textbooks on her field of study, along with notes meticulously written by the professor herself. The sight of Lauren’s handwriting filled Chloe with a mix of emotions, but mostly gratitude.
Then there was the unfinished paper she had started years ago. Back then, Chloe had spent weeks, sometimes months, buried in the lab, obsessing over tiny pieces of data just to perfect her research. Sher had been so full of hope for her future back then, excited about life as a graduate student.
But when she gave it all up to be with Julian, she became little more than his caretaker–his girlfriend in name, but in reality, a glorified housekeeper.
Even during those years, though, Chloe never abandoned her passion for research. In between tending to Julian’s needs, she would still work on her thesis whenever she could. What remained was only a half- completed project, but she had kept pushing forward, determined to finish it.
Now, as Chloe looked at her old work, she realized she had the final piece. Combining it with the work stored in her laptop, she could complete what she had started. A sense of wholeness washed over her, as if the bright, ambitious person she had once been was finally reconnecting with her present self.
With renewed determination, Chloe opened her computer and began revising her paper from beginning to end. She worked tirelessly through the night, pausing only when she was satisfied. By the time she submitted her paper to the academic journal, dawn was breaking. She had no idea how it would be received, but she wanted to test her abilities after all these years
Exhausted, she closed her laptop and collapsed into bed, catching a few hours of sleep before getting up, grabbing a quick breakfast, and heading to the library to continue studying.
As Chloe opened the door, she ran into Wyatt, who had just returned from an all–nighter at the lab. His clothes were soaked from the rain, and he didn’t have an umbrella.
*Just got back? Were you up all night in the lab?” Chloe asked.
“Yeah, and it’s raining out there. Don’t forget to bring an umbrella,” Wyatt replied.
Chloe handed him a bottle of milk, noting that he probably needed it more than she did.
“Make sure you take a hot shower. You don’t want to catch a cold.”
Wyatt smiled and thanked her. After a brief exchange, Chloe headed downstairs while Wyatt went inside to dry off.
© Chapter 16: Becoming Whale Agam
By the time Chloe arrived at the library, most of the seats were already taken. Fortunately, there were still a few left, and she sighed in relief as she found a place to sit. Just as she was settling in, she heard a familiar voice behind her–it was Ella.
“What are you doing here?” Ella asked, sounding surprised.
Ella had come to the university to discuss the graduate program with the school administration, still hoping to secure a spot despite her unsuccessful conversation with Professor Lauren the last time.
She had never expected to run into Chloe here and couldn’t help but judge her situation harshly. Chloe’s life must be in a dire state if she had to work as a housemaid and now was reduced to working at the library, Ella thought. Life seemed to be getting worse for her.
“Did my brother really not give you any money?” Ella cored, her tone dripping with superiority. “I told him to, but I guess he didn’t listen. He’s such a jerk so es. I’ll call him again, but honestly, what are you doing here? Are you working at the library now? The pay probably isn’t great. Or are you trying to study? This doesn’t seem like your level–you weren’t exactly a standout student.”
Ella didn’t mean to be cruel, at least not in her mind. She simply believed that she and Chloe were on entirely different levels, and that her words were just the truth.
In the past, Chloe had tolerated Ella’s attitude out of love for Julian. But now, as she no longer had to endure Ella’s jabs, she realized just how disrespectful Ella had always been toward her.
“Who are you talking to?” a stern voice interrupted. It was Julian’s mother, Mrs. Madison.
Mrs. Madison approached, having overheard her daughter’s conversation. She froze for a moment when she saw Chloe but quickly recovered.
She had never approved of Chloe, but because Julian liked her, she had kept her opinions to herself. Now, seeing Chloe in a worn–out shirt and jeans, she couldn’t help but think how embarrassing it was for her son to be associated with someone so shabby.
“Well, what a surprise,” Mrs. Madison said, her tone pointed. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Her words carried an undercurrent of condescension, as if she believed Chloe had purposely arranged
this encounter.
Chapter 17: Ungrateful
