Chapter 39
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Mr. Holland had trusted me so much and supported me wholeheartedly. For the sake of my research, he had lowered his pride and went around building connections to secure a lab for me, despite his usual dislike for dealing with people.
But I had abandoned everything just as our research was finally showing some promising results. For Irvin, I had left everything behind, betraying my original aspirations and the trust and support Mr. Holland had placed in me.
I owed him. I owed him so much.
“If you can get in touch with her, tell her that the lab is still here for her. If she wants to come back, it’s not too late,” Mr. Holland said.
Hearing this, my tears began to fall in earnest.
Long after Mr. Holland left, I still sat there, unable to lift my head from the table. Guilt and shame overwhelmed me, threatening to drown me.
I had been so blinded by love back then. I had been so foolish. All that blind love was now turned into regret.
How could I have been so stupid to have given everything up for a scumbag like Irvin?
“Life is like an experiment,” Shaun said suddenly, handing me a napkin. “Mistakes and failures don’t matter. What matters is recognizing those mistakes and pulling yourself out of them in time. That’s when success becomes possible.”
I didn’t know when he had approached, but I took the napkin all the same and covered my face with it. After a while, I removed the napkin and smiled at him. “Thank you, Professor Green. When you have time, let me treat you to a meal!”
I might feel pain and regret, but I couldn’t allow myself to drown in them. They were like quicksand–if I allowed myself to succumb, they would swallow me whole.
I wanted to live well so that I could make up for my mistakes.
Shaun smiled back. “Sure.”
“Then I’ll head out first. I’ll see you again next time,” I said, standing up to leave.
However, I must have moved too quickly, because suddenly, I lost my balance and stumbled forward.
For an ordinary person, a fall like this might not be a big deal. But for me, it could be dangerous.
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39
+25 BONOS
Terrified, I desperately reached out to grab onto something–anything–to avoid falling. I didn’t want to experience excruciating pain again.
But my hands found nothing.
Just as I thought I was about to die, a pair of strong, steady hands caught me. The faint scent of sandalwood wafting from him had a calming effect on me, gradually soothing my racing heart.
Looking up at Shaun, I smiled. “Thanks, Professor Green. You saved my life again.”
He laughed. “I just steadied you. Don’t exaggerate things.”
I smiled back, saying nothing.
Just as I was about to step away from him, a sharp voice cut through the air.
“Emilia, what do you think you’re doing?”
The voice was filled with barely restrained anger. I looked up to see Irvin standing not too far away, his face dark with fury.
I frowned at him. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
What could I possibly be doing in public?
“If you can’t tell, please donate your eyes to science , since they’re wasted on you anyway,” I snapped. “And while you’re at it, think about what you’re doing before questioning me in that tone!”
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