I started my new life in the United States. I enrolled at the University of California, pursuing a Master’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies, with a minor in Finance.
School days were hectic, especially at a prestigious institution like UC, where every assignment and exam required careful attention.
I had to maintain excellent grades to keep my scholarship while also working to earn tuition fees. Every day after classes, I rushed to fast-food restaurants to work. Doing homework and writing papers often kept me up late into the night, and I was always busy.
Although these days were tough, they helped me become more focused. I gradually understood what I wanted and realized that love was not everything in life. There were more important things to pursue.
My classmates treated me kindly, and my professors appreciated my academic performance. I was confident that I had moved past the shadows of the old Laura and transformed into a new me.
Three years passed without me keeping much contact with The Lynch Family. Holly often called me, telling me various interesting stories from Jerez State, but she deliberately avoided mentioning The Lynch Family. Patrick also kept in touch with me, but apart from greetings, there was nothing else.
However, every month for the past three years, money would be deposited into my bank account.
The sender was “Crab.”
Occasionally, I would think back to the last time I saw Cameron three years ago, when we rolled down the mountain together, covered in bruises. I always wanted our parting to be more graceful, but it turned out to be so messy.
I even threw the check in his face.
And now, he had transferred the money from the check to me in full.
I had kept this money untouched for three years. Over time, it had become quite a sum. But I preferred to work at the fast-food restaurant, stay up all night helping professors organize materials for a meager reward, rather than use his money.
I didn’t want to reopen the wounds in my heart.
“Laura, what are you thinking about?” a classmate called out to me.
I was startled, snapping out of my thoughts.
“The professor is looking for you. You should go to his office!” the classmate said.
“Do you know what it’s about?”
The classmate smiled mysteriously. “It should be good news!”
Two weeks later, I boarded an international flight back to Jerez State.
The gentle voice of the flight attendant was soothing, and this time, I found the flight much more bearable than before. As the plane crossed the Pacific Ocean, stars adorned the deep blue night sky. The cabin was quiet, with everyone drifting off to sleep, but I found myself restless.
The air conditioning was a bit too cold, so I pulled the blanket up, but my mind remained unusually clear.
Just two weeks ago, the professor had called me to his office to deliver the good news of my impending graduation.
“Laura, you received straight A’s in all seven courses this semester, and your thesis defense was successful. Congratulations on graduating with outstanding marks.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time in three years, I smiled without feeling burdened.
“What are your plans after graduation? Do you want to stay here or go back to your home country?” the professor asked.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. In my heart, I still leaned towards returning home-it was, after all, the place I was familiar with.
“I can tell from your silence that you’ve already made up your mind,” the professor chuckled, pushing a piece of paper towards me. “Based on what I know about you, I believe you want to go back home… This is a recommendation letter I wrote for you. I’ve been in touch with a major company back there. With your major in media and minor in finance, along with your excellent grades, I think they’ll be eager to have you.”
“Really?” I was both surprised and elated. “Thank you so much, Professor!”
“I’m sure they’ll offer you a good salary.”
“Thank you so much!”
I accepted the letter with both hands, but when I saw the name of the company, my heart skipped a beat.
The Lynch Group’s subsidiary, Glory Construction Company.
Location of work: Jerez State.
…
I leaned back in my seat, and the only sound in my ears was the humming of the airplane. Gradually, drowsiness crept over me, and in a haze, I seemed to see bloodstains, the familiar mountaintop, and someone’s face… Many scenes, things, and people flashed before my eyes, as if I had traversed a lifetime’s journey in a mere moment.
The plane landed.
After three years of being away, I had finally returned to Jerez State.
Three years ago, I fled with my suitcase in hand, and now, three years later, I was still alone with my suitcase. However, this time, I felt much more composed. Although Jerez State hadn’t changed drastically in my absence, there were still noticeable differences.
I returned to my rental house, tidied up quickly, adjusted to the time difference, and arranged a job interview with the HR manager of Glory Construction Company.
The next day, I found myself sitting in the human resources department of Glory Construction Company.
I thought that after three years of experience, I would be able to remain calm no matter what happened. However, when Carter appeared in this office and faced me directly, I was still taken aback.
He had changed a lot.
His complexion had improved significantly compared to before, dressed in a suit and tie, he looked more like a successful man, exuding confidence in every gesture.
But his gaze had become even deeper, even a bit chilly.
He seemed surprised to see me, but then smiled politely, shaking my hand and laying out his notebook on the desk. He spoke softly, “Miss Campbell?”
I nodded, “Yes.”
“I will be conducting this interview.”
“And this is the Vice President of our Glory Construction Company,” The manager of HR department made a brief introduction.
I stared at him blankly.
Vice President?
Wasn’t Carter never involved in The Lynch Group’s work? In my impression, Ethan never allowed him to intervene in The Lynch Group. Cameron was in charge of everything… Could it be that now Carter couldn’t hold back and wanted to enter The Lynch Group too?
“The Lynch Group has two vice presidents,” Carter chuckled, “The other one is in charge of the other companies under The Lynch Group. If there’s a chance, I’ll introduce him to Miss Campbell.”
My heart tightened, and I gradually felt it difficult to breathe.
I took a deep breath and placed my resume, transcripts, and recommendation letter in front of him. The manager asked a few questions, and I answered them fluently. The other interviewers seemed satisfied with my responses, except for Carter. His gaze remained locked on me, his expression complex, until the interview was over.
“Miss Campbell has performed excellently and is a rare talent,” he said with a light smile. “Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I won’t disappoint everyone’s expectations and will do my best to serve the company.”
“Laura,” As people began to leave the meeting room, Carter called out to me from behind, “Do you have time to grab a drink together?”
I remained silent, bowing my head.
“You disappeared for three years, and I thought you would have forgotten all the past grievances. Actually, between you and me, there aren’t that many grievances, right?”
“Is that so?” I looked up at him. “Well, it might not be much of a grievance for you, but for someone as narrow-minded as me, it was hurtful.”
“Being abroad for three years has made you quite eloquent! You weren’t like this when you were a kid.”
“When I was a kid…” I chuckled softly.
The word “kid” sounded ironic now.
“A person cannot always live in childhood; people will always grow up.”
“Yes, Laura has grown up a lot in the past three years!”
“Carter…”
“Cameron hasn’t been living happily!” He stared at me intently, a smile playing on his lips. “Are you very curious about everything related to him?”
To be honest, hearing that Cameron wasn’t happy made my heart ache inexplicably. But I couldn’t show it in front of Carter.
“After marrying Queenie, he hasn’t been doing well.” Carter paced slowly to the window, looking into the distance, lost in thought. “Queenie is spoiled, and Cameron is naturally proud. They just can’t get along.”
“They argued often after getting married, several times it was earth-shattering.” He turned to look at me. “Queenie isn’t like you. You’re gentle, considerate, and submissive. Men definitely like someone like you… Once, Queenie cried in front of both families, saying that during their intimate moments, he actually called out your name…”
“Stop, I don’t want to hear this!” I interrupted him, striding towards the door.
Carter grabbed my arm, biting out each word, “They’re getting a divorce!”