Chapter 110 The Beginning of Her Dream
The bedroom was so quiet and Veyra sat on the edge of the bed, still in her pajamas, her hair a tangled mess. She was staring at the wall. Her mind was still on the conversation with Dorian.
We’re going to Bordeaux. To meet a friend.
She knew it was Wesley Wynn. She knew it. She could feel it in her bones. He was going to sit across from her, smile that insincere smile, and pretend he hadn’t sent that photograph on purpose.
She wanted to throw something.
Her phone rang.
She grabbed it. The screen said Director Carter – Aethelred Medical University.
Her heart stopped.
She answered. Her voice was breathless. "Hello?"
"Mrs. Thorne?" The voice on the other end was warm. Professional. "This is Director Carter from the admissions office. I’m calling with good news."
Veyra’s grip tightened on the phone. "Good news?"
"Your special admission has been approved. You’ve been granted a place at Aethelred Medical University for the upcoming semester."
Veyra’s mouth fell open.
"You’re serious?"
"I’m very serious. Congratulations, Mrs. Thorne."
She could not speak. Her throat was tight.
"Mrs. Thorne? Are you still there?"
"Yes," she managed. "Yes, I’m here. I just—thank you. Thank you so much."
"You’ll need to submit your academic records in person. Can you come to the campus today?"
"Today?"
"Yes. We have a small window before the records office closes."
Veyra looked at the clock. She had hours before dinner at Bordeaux.
"I’ll be there," she said. "I’ll be there as soon as I can."
"Excellent. I’ll be in my office."
The line went dead.
Veyra stared at the phone. Then she screamed.
She jumped off the bed. She ran to the closet. She pulled out clothes. Jeans. A simple blouse. Comfortable shoes.
She was halfway dressed when she realized she had forgotten to tell anyone.
She grabbed her phone again. She called Leon Wei.
"Leon," she said. "I need a car. Right now."
"Mrs. Thorne? Is everything all right?"
"Everything is perfect. I’m going to Aethelred Medical University. My admission was approved."
There was a pause. Then Leon’s voice was warm. "Congratulations, Mrs. Thorne."
"Thank you. Now please, I need to leave. Before they close."
"I’ll have the car ready in five minutes."
The drive to Aethelred Medical University took forty minutes.
Veyra spent the entire time staring out the window. Her mind was racing. She had imagined this moment. She had dreamed about it. She had worked for it.
And now it was real.
The car pulled up to the gates. The ironwork was old. Ornate. The campus stretched behind it, a mix of ancient buildings and modern glass.
Veyra stepped out of the car. She stood in front of the gates.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She thought about her grandmother. The woman who had raised her. The woman who had taught her to read. The woman who had died alone in a hospital bed.
She had promised her. She had promised she would make something of herself.
And now she was here.
She pressed her hand to her mouth. A sob escaped.
Leon Wei appeared beside her. His voice was quiet. "Mrs. Thorne? Are you all right?"
She nodded. She wiped her eyes.
"I’m fine. I’m just... happy."
She walked through the gates. Her footsteps echoed on the cobblestones. Students walked past her, their backpacks slung over their shoulders. They did not look at her. They did not know who she was.
She made her way to the admissions office. The building was old. The hallways were narrow. The floors were worn.
Director Carter’s office was at the end of the hall. She knocked.
"Come in."
She opened the door. Director Carter was a small woman with kind eyes and silver hair. She smiled when she saw Veyra.
"Mrs. Thorne. Please, sit."
Veyra sat. She pulled out her documents. Her transcripts. Her identification. Her test results.
Director Carter reviewed them. She nodded slowly.
"Everything is in order," she said. "We just need to confirm your mailing address."
Veyra hesitated.
She thought about the manor. The sprawling estate. The servants. The security gates.
She could not have her admission letter sent there. Not while she was still married to Dorian. Not while the family was still watching her.
"I’ll pick it up in person," she said.
Director Carter’s eyebrows rose. "Are you sure? It would be simpler to mail it."
"I’m sure. I’ll come back for it."
Director Carter nodded. "As you wish."
Veyra signed the final forms. She shook Director Carter’s hand. She walked out of the office.
The hallway was empty. The students had cleared.
She walked back toward the gates. Her steps were lighter than they had been in years.
She had done it. She was going to medical school.
She climbed into the car. Leon Wei was already behind the wheel.
"Back to the manor?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Bordeaux. I’m meeting Mr. Thorne."
Leon Wei’s eyebrows rose. "Are you sure?"
Veyra smiled. "I’m sure."
The car pulled away from the curb.
She leaned her head against the window. The city blurred past.
She was in an excellent mood. Nothing could ruin it.
She was going to medical school.
And tonight, she was going to face Wesley Wynn.
She smiled.
She was ready.