Chapter 296

"Did Auntie Lucy really hint at that?"

"She didn't say it outright, but she was very apologetic, constantly making amends to Mom and Dad. Don't worry though—they're taking it better than expected. They just said some things aren't meant to be."

Evelyn Carter exhaled in relief. "How are Mom and Dad holding up these days?"

"Mom sighs sometimes, but she understands Peter's choice. Dad hasn't been affected at all—he's been glued to the TV watching the Olympics."

"That's good. Since I'm not home, make sure to help them more."

"Got it, sis." Emily Anderson replied obediently. "Oh, by the way, Peter already helped me finalize my college applications. You don’t need to come home this weekend."

"He went to our house?"

"No, probably too awkward. He had me come over to his place to fill everything out."

"Still going for Hudson Tech? What major?"

"Materials Science. Peter said it has good prospects and is relatively welcoming for women."

"Do you actually like it?"

Emily's voice softened. "Doesn't matter if I like it—as long as it pays well. Sis, in families like ours, who gets to talk about dreams?"

Evelyn's chest tightened. "You're so young. When did you become this pragmatic?"

"That's just reality, sis. Only the privileged get to be picky. Ordinary people like us have to focus on survival first." Emily forced a light laugh. "Anyway, gotta go—my anime just updated!"

After hanging up, Evelyn stared blankly out the window.

Peter had handled things decently—preserving both families' dignity while helping her sister with college plans.

But her sister's change broke her heart.

The girl who once rebelled for love had been worn down by reality in just one summer.

She didn’t know if this was good or bad.

Was it their circumstances forcing Emily to abandon her passions, or just the inevitable pain of growing up? Either way, it was heartbreaking.

Years from now, when Emily worked late in a lab, she might remember that summer spent obsessing over anime.

But this was the fate of ordinary people—in the relentless tide of time, even grief felt like a luxury.

"Dr. Carter! Big news!"

Olivia Lightfoot burst into the office, making Evelyn drop her pen.

"What is it?"

"That homewrecker's been hospitalized! In orthopedics, bandages all over her head. Stranger still—her parents are requesting a psych consult."

"Psychiatry?"

"Yeah! Do you think she..." Olivia made a wild gesture, "...snapped?"