Chapter 2 Behind his desk, Stephen Moran, the hospital dean, gazed at Emmaline with a mix of regret and bafflement. "Emma, are you absolutely sure you want to pass up this chance to study abroad? I know you're about to marry Zachary, but going overseas has always been your dream. Didn't you always say you wanted to become a top surgeon and give back to the community?" Emmaline snapped to attention, her mind seizing on a few key words in his sentence. She looked around, disbelief washing over her. The room was filled with old-fashioned furniture, the date on the pa- pers was sixty years in the past, and Stephen himself looked strikingly young. Her gaze dropped to her hands. They were smooth and youthful, with not a wrinkle in sight. These were the hands of her younger self. She had somehow returned to the past. She was back at the pivotal moment, sixty years ago, at the moment that had shaped her entire fate. In her previous life, she'd given up this hard-won opportunity to study abroad, all to preserve her relationship with Zachary. She'd stayed behind, clinging to his hollow devotion, living a life built on his lies. The memory of his be- trayal, revealed in that cold City Hall, clawed at her heart, the pain so sharp it nearly stole her breath. But now, given This book had been this miraculous second chance, she vowed never to repeat her mistakes. added on your bookshelf Taking a deep breath to steady her churning emotions, she met Stephen's eyes with a resolve she'd never known be- fore. Her voice was clear and unwavering. "No, Stephen. I'm going." Stephen blinked, pushing his glasses up in surprise. "You're serious? What about Zachary? That man's practically glued to you. Will he be okay with you leaving for years?" Emmaline's lips curved into a bittersweet, determined smile. "I'll... find a way to make him understand." In truth, she had no intention of persuading Zachary. She was done with him. If his heart belonged to Juanita, she'd set them free. This time, Zachary had no claim over her life. Stephen's face lit up with delight. He grabbed a stack of forms and slid them toward her. "Fantastic! That's the spirit! Fill these out, and I'll get your application submitted. You should begin preparing as soon as possible!" Emmaline completed the paperwork, bid Stephen goodbye, and stepped out of the hospital. The summer sun blazed overhead, stinging her eyes. Squinting, she instinctively glanced toward the large locust tree by the entrance, where Zachary used to wait for her after work in her past life. Sure enough, there he was-tall and striking, his crisp shirt ac- centuating his broad shoulders, his handsome profile sharp against the dappled shade. But in his hand wasn't the soda she loved. It was a box of doughnuts. And standing before him was Juanita Clayton, her petite frame radiating a quiet charm. She took the doughnuts, her face glowing with delight and a shy, radiant smile. "Zachary, you're too kind! I only mentioned wanting doughnuts yesterday, and you went out of your way to get them today!" 0.0 % 10:00 Zachary didn't reply, but the corner of his mouth lifted in a subtle, warm curve. His hand reached out, ruffling Juani- ta's hair with an effortless affection, his eyes soft with a tenderness that felt achingly familiar. Emmaline's heart twist- ed sharply. In her past life, she'd noticed his special attention to Juanita even then. But she'd been so certain of his love for her that she'd bought his excuse-that he was only kind to Juanita because Emmaline cared for her. Back then, she'd trusted him blindly. But now, armed with the truth of his sixty-year deception, she saw it clearly. The way he looked at Juanita was far beyond friendly warmth-it was the gaze of a man in love. She drew a deep breath, swallowing the bitter ache in her chest. This was for the best. If they were already drawn to each other now, she'd step aside and let him have what he truly wanted. No longer would he need to hide behind a façade of duty, pretending to love her. She didn't need his patronizing protection or his pity. Without him, she'd carve out a life vibrant and full. Straighten- ing her spine, she walked toward them. At the sound of her footsteps, Zachary snapped out of his reverie. Seeing her, his expression softened into the familiar warmth he always showed her. "Emma, you're off work? You're later than usual today." Juanita, startled like a deer caught in headlights, quickly hid the doughnuts behind her back. A flicker of panic crossed her face before she flashed a sweet, practiced smile. "Dr. Walsh, there you are! Zachary's been waiting for us forever. What did Mr. Moran want with you? And what's that form you're holding?" She reached curiously for the study-abroad application Emmaline had just filled out. Emmaline calmly tucked the papers into her bag, her tone cool and distant. "It's nothing." Zachary paused, his brow furrowing slightly. Though they'd only been apart a few hours, he sensed a shift in her. The way she looked at him lacked the familiar warmth and reliance, replaced by something distant and impenetrable. 59.6% 10:00