Chapter 37
SOPHIA’S POV
The lecture hall slowly emptied after the final applause.
I stood up and was about to slip my notebook into my bag when I noticed Professor Rio watching me from a short distance. He waited until the small crowd around him left before walking toward me.
“You asked very good questions today,” he said when he reached me, “Not just correct questions, but thoughtful ones p>
I blinked in surprise. “Thank you, Professor p>
“They showed maturity,” he continued. “And advanced thinking. Many students memorize information but very few understand how to apply it under pressure. You do p>
His words made my chest warm. I wasn’t used to being spoken to like that. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had praised me.
He looked at my name badge. “Where do you work, Sophia p>
“I work at St. Mary’s Hospital,” I answered honestly. “I’m a resident p>
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “You work and study at the same time p>
“Yes,” I said. “I’ve always had to p>
He nodded “And when did you complete your undergraduate degree p>
I hesitated, then answered. “Several years ago. I took a long break afterward. I had… responsibilities p>
He studied me carefully. I could feel it, like he was thinking about the things I had to go through in order to take a break. My wolf stirred inside me uneasily.
“That explains the gap,” he said calmly. “But it does not explain your ability p>
I swallowed. “Sir p>
“People like you stand out,” he said plainly. “You have analytical discipline and emotional control. That combination is rare. I am recruiting PhD candidates, and I would like you to consider applying p>
The words hit me like a shock. I blinked in disbelief.
Professor Rio never – NEVER – asked people to be his candidates directly. He was way too busy for that. Besides, there was a long waiting list that would have taken years if I was to apply formally.
“I-” My voice failed me. “I don’t think p>
“I would be willing to mentor you personally,” he added. “If you are interested p>
He even wanted to mentor me?
I looked at him in disbelief. It felt like someone had pulled a curtain back and exposed a version of me I had buried years ago – a woman with dreams. I felt like a woman with potential again.
“I… thank you,” I said nervously. “I don’t know what to say p>
Before I could say more, someone stepped directly between us.
Tiffany.
“Oh, Professor Rio,” she said brightly. “I had a question about the transplant protocol you mentioned earlier p>
She moved closer to him, too close. Her voice was overly familiar. She smiled widely, tilting her head, clearly trying to draw his full attention.
Professor Rio answered politely but briefly. “It’s outlined in the supplementary slides p>
Then he turned back to me without hesitation. He reached into his pocket and handed me a card.
“Email me,” he said. “We’ll talk properly p>
I took the card with trembling fingers. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Tiffany’s smile tightened. She looked at the card, then back at me. She said nothing, but her expression was filled with anger.
I stepped away, pretending to be composed. Deep inside me, I wanted to squeal in happiness.
Outside the lecture hall, Lance caught up to me quickly. His face was bright with excitement.
“Sophia,” he said, almost laughing, “do you realize what just happened p>
“I’m not sure I do,” I admitted.
“That was a rare opportunity,” he said firmly. “You should take it seriously p>
I looked down at the card in my hand. “I don’t know if I can p>
He stopped walking and turned to face me. “Why not p>
“I never went to graduate school,” I said quietly. “Everyone else is ahead. I’m older. I’m tired. I have too much responsibility p>
“That doesn’t erase your intelligence,” he said. “Or your discipline p>
Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them.
“I gave up everything,” I whispered. “My dreams. My independence. I don’t even know who I am anymore p>
The thought of it all crashed down on me. I started crying, unable to hold it in.
Lance gently wiped my tears. His hand rested on my arm as he tried to comfort me.
“You are allowed to want more,” he said softly.
A voice cut through the moment.
“Sophia p>
I froze.
I pulled away from Lance immediately and turned.
Damien stood a short distance away. His Alpha presence was heavy and tense. His eyes were fixed on Lance’s hand where it had been on my arm.
He walked toward us with a cold expression.
“What is going on here?” he asked.
What does it matter to you? I wanted to spit back at him. Instead I said, “Ashley has been acting out again at school. The teachers complained. You need to discipline her properly p>
His jaw tightened clearly at the change of subject. “She’s adjusting p>
“She’s not,” I snapped. “She’s becoming rude and aggressive p>
“You’re overreacting,” he said coldly. “You’re barely home p>
Something inside me snapped.
“So now it’s my fault?” I asked. “I sacrifice everything and I’m still the problem p>
“You’re neglecting your role,” he said harshly. “You’re too focused on yourself p>
My wolf growled inside me.
“I sacrificed my future for this family,” I said loudly. “Caring about myself does not make me a bad mother p>
People nearby slowed, watching.
“You embarrassed me,” he said through clenched teeth.
“You humiliated me for years,” I shot back.
His eyes burned. “We will talk some other time. You’re not worth my energy. Let me know when you’ve calmed down. ”
Then he turned and walked away.
I stood there shaking, clutching Professor Rio’s card. My eyes burned with tears but I refused to let them fall.
Lance stepped beside me and held me gently as one tear slipped free from my eye.