\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 45 Shattered Illusions\u00a0<\/p>\n
$ 82%\u25aa\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though she worked in the demanding field of pediatric surgery, Scarlett\u2019s opportunities to actually perform operations remained limited.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Had she not taken that life detour into marriage years ago, perhaps she could have been like Nolan now-a surgeon with a full schedule of complex procedures. But then again, maybe not. Nolan operated on another plane entirely. He specialized in the most challenging surgeries of all-intricate brain operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She could spend her entire career striving and likely never close the gap between their skill levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thomas held his thermos, his perennial gentle smile in place. \u201cSo, Scarlett,\u201d he inquired, \u201chave you given any thought to pursuing a doctoral degree?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A spark of hope ignited in Scarlett\u2019s eyes. \u201cI\u2026\u201d She wanted to say yes, to grasp the opportunity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But before the word could fully form, Sabrina appeared as if from nowhere. \u201cMr. Newman! Perfect timing! I have a few academic questions I\u2019d love your insight on, if you have a moment?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thomas turned at the sound of her voice, his eyes landing on Sabrina and Vincent standing nearby. A slight, almost imperceptible frown touched his brow, his displeasure subtle but clear. \u201cOf course,\u201d he replied, his tone polite yet noticeably cooler.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina pressed her advantage. \u201cCould we speak privately for a moment?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thomas gave a curt nod. \u201cVery well.\u201d With that, he moved to join Sabrina.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan grew visibly anxious witnessing this, starting forward to call out to Thomas, but Scarlett caught his arm, stopping him. \u201cLet it go, Nolan,\u201d she whispered, her voice thick with resigned defeat. \u201cI didn\u2019t even complete a master\u2019s degree. How could I possibly qualify for Mr. Newman\u2019s doctoral program? It\u2019s a futile hope.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlett, you are every bit as capable as anyone in our cohort,\u201d Nolan insisted, his grip firm on her arm. \u201cYou simply took a different path back then. The best time to plant a tree was five years ago; the second-best time is now. Mr. Newman sees your potential. Are you truly willing to discard this chance?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett kept her head bowed, unable to formulate a response that could articulate the storm of doubt and fear within her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan held her arm, his expression earnest as he continued trying to persuade her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent had not accompanied Sabrina. He remained standing a short distance away, ostensibly waiting for her while checking work messages on his phone. His attention, however, kept drifting back to Scarlett and Nolan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t hear their conversation, but Nolan\u2019s posture was intense, passionate, and Scarlett\u2019s shoulders were slumped, her face tilted down as if she were fighting back tears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent observed them silently, Daniel\u2019s taunting words echoing once more in his mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If there is truly nothing between them, why is Nolan holding her arm, standing so close?\u00a0<\/p>\n
From his vantage point, it looked as if\u2026 they were on the verge of an embrace, or perhaps even a kiss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett, unaware of Vincent\u2019s observational gaze, finally managed to thank Nolan. \u201cI know you deliberately brought me to this lecture today,\u201d she said, her voice sof \u201cAnd I genuinely appreciate it. But starting over\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 45 Shattered Illusions\u00a0<\/p>\n
now\u2026 I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m ready. I don\u2019t even know if I can do it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Returning to academia was her greatest regret, yet the prospect of beginning again now terrified her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan didn\u2019t press further. He gently reached out and wiped the stray tear from her cheek. \u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d he reassured her. \u201cYou don\u2019t need a master\u2019s or a PhD to be remarkable doctor. You are still you, regardless of the titles.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett nodded, drawing a shaky breath. \u201cYeah. Let\u2019s go\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As they turned to leave together, Vincent, acting on an impulse he didn\u2019t fully understand, called out,\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlett.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He had been watching them for several minutes, and honestly, he couldn\u2019t even name the tumultuous emotion churning within him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was his wife, yet here she was, sharing an underably intimate moment with another man.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Claiming it didn\u2019t bother him would be a lie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet, his anger wasn\u2019t fierce enough to drive him to confront Nolan physically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, he had called her name, though he wasn\u2019t sure what he intended to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett halted at the sound of Vincent\u2019s voice. She glanced at Nolan, hesitated for a brief second, then said to him, \u201cYou go on ahead. I need to speak with Vincent.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan didn\u2019t know what she needed to discuss with her x-husband, but recognizing the complicated history, he felt it wasn\u2019t his place to interfere. He simply nodded his agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Nolan was out of earshot, Scarlett walked over to Vincent. \u201cI want to talk to you about Vanessa\u2019s education,\u201d she stated, coming straight to the point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s eyes narrowed in confusion. \u201cOh?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
From his reaction, Scarlett could guess the truth immediately. When Vanessa had bullied a classmate, the teacher had evidently only contacted Sabrina, not Vincent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVanessa is becoming spoiled and domineering,\u201d Scarlet said, her voice firm with concern. \u201cYou can\u2019t just let this behavior continue unchecked. You\u2019re her father. Yo need to step up and parent her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent was completely in the dark about the bullying incident. He assumed Scarlett was launching another criticism against him, and his tone became defensive. \u201cAnd aren\u2019t you Scarlett? Don\u2019t you share that responsibility?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett had no desire to argue. She replied with a calmhat belied her frustration. \u201cIf she genuinely saw me as Scarlett, we wouldn\u2019t be having this conversation rig now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s mind, however, was still anchored to Scarlett\u2019absence from the kindergarten parent-child event. \u201cPerhaps you should do some introspection about why anessa behaves the way she does toward you,\u201d he retorted. \u201cHave you ever considered the problem mightie with you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett met his gaze squarely, her conscience clear on his matter. \u201cWhere Vanessa is concerned,\u201d she answered honestly, \u201cI have nothing to reproach myself r.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:27 Wed, Jan\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 45 Shattered Illusions\u00a0<\/p>\n
82%\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent remained unsatisfied. \u201cIf you believe Vanessa\u2019s behavior is unacceptable, then you go and correct it. As far as I\u2019m concerned, she has always been a good chill.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Send Gifts\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
M\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:27 Wed, Jan 7 .\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife. Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 45 \u00a0 Chapter 45 Shattered Illusions\u00a0 $ 82%\u25aa\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 Even though she […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27409","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27409","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27409"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27409\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}