Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Tori’s POV:
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The screen showed an unfamiliar number, but at this point, I was too exhausted to care who might be calling past midnight.
“Hello?” My voice came out rough from fatigue.
“Is this Tori Sullivan?” A crisp, professional female voice responded.
I sat up straighter, suddenly alert. “Yes, this is she p>
“Wonderful! This is Amelia Crawford from The Lunar Herald.” Her voice brightened considerably. “I’m delighted to inform you that you’ve won
first place in the Lunar Phase Competition! Congratulations p>
For a moment, I couldn’t process her words. “I… what p>
“You’re the champion!
Despite the thrill of victory fluttering in my chest, I couldn’t shake the nagging suspicion about this unexpected call.
“How did you get my number?” I asked, glancing at Anna’s sleeping form beside me.
“Oh, the competition organizers provided it. We’d love to feature you on our front page-the brilliant Omega who outshined everyone! Your photograph alongside an exclusive interview would make a wonderful stor
My stomach knotted. Public attention was the last thing I needed-especially now, with my past constantly threatening to resurface.
“I appreciate the offer,” I said carefully, “but I prefer to keep a low profile for personal reasons. I’d rather not have my photo published p>
“Oh. Her enthusiasm dimmed slightly.
‘Well, perhaps just the interview then? Our readers would be fascinated by your achievements p>
I hesitated, then conceded, “I can answer a few questions about the compeition, but nothing personal p>
She seemed to accept this compromise, asking about my mathematical apoach and future aspirations. I kept my answers focused on the competition, maintaining a polite but distant tone.
After a few minutes, I thanked her and ended the call, a genuine smile speading across my face for the first time in days.
First place! Tracy howled with pride inside me, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction.
The reporter had mentioned a substantial cash prize that would be transfered to my account within days-enough to significantly ease the burden of Grandmother’s medical bills.
I sank back into the pillow beside Anna, the weight on my shoulders lighting just enough to let exhaustion finally take over.
The twin worries of Grandmother’s surgery and Lucas’s condition still lingered at the edges of my mind, but for now, the immediate financial pressure had eased.
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17:54 Wed, Feb 11
Chapter 107
GDG.
With one last glance at Anna’s peaceful face, I let my heavy eyelids close, deep finally claiming me.
< 314 p>
Morning arrived with harsh fluorescent lights and the antiseptic smell of the Silver Moon medical facility.
I sat in the chair beside my grandmother’s bed, watching her chest rise and fall in sleep.
The surgery had gone well, according to the doctor who explained she would need several months of rehabilitation.
“The bone has been set properly,” he’d said, “but at her age, healing takes me. She can recover at home, but she’ll need regular therapy and
proper care p>
I nodded, giving the doctor a grateful smile. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for her,” I said sincerely, rising from my chair to walk him
to the door.
“Just doing my job,” he replied kindly, pausing at the threshold.
“We’ll have instructions for her home care ready before discharge. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions p>
I thanked him again as he left, watching his white coat disappear down the hallway.
My phone vibrated with a notification.
I opened it to find a message from Morgan with a link.
My breath caught when I saw the HowlSpace post trending across moonhaven.
“Lunar Phase Competition Champion: Skill or Beauty? Omega Academic Stuns the Pack p>
The post featured several photos of me-one answering questions in class another walking across the Moonridge campus, and a third that looked like it had been taken through the window of the café where I’d be tutoring Morgan.
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