?Chapter 1076:


    “At ease, darling.” Fannie glided over, her smile radiating warmth. “Bobby and I are in your corner too. Michael, Dulce… we’re united on this. And let me tell you, if Dunn even thinks about breaking your heart, he’ll have a small army to answer to!”


    Aurora was both amused and touched by their fierce protectiveness.


    Katherine’s hands came together with sudden inspiration. “Why dance around it? Let’s start pushing Joelle to nail down a date. Time to get this wedding on the books!”


    “No, no, no! Please don’t!”


    Aurora barely managed to rein in Katherine’s overzealous excitement. After selecting the gift, she hurried back to campus, but her ns were quickly interrupted—Lynda called her out again. The two met at a fancy restaurant near the university. As Aurora settled into her seat, she raised an eyebrow. “Lynda, why didn’t we just meet on campus?”


    “I’m so done with cafeteria food. Besides, my schrship money just came in, and what better way to celebrate than by treating you to something special?”


    Aurora grinned, flipping through the menu. “Well, if you insist, who am I to refuse? Let’s feast!”


    Once their orders were ced, Lynda’s expression grew serious.


    “Aurora, I’ll be leaving soon.”


    Aurora’s hand froze mid-air. “What? Why?”


    “I got epted into a confidential research project. I won’t be able toe back for a while.”


    A pang of sadness tightened Aurora’s chest. Sensing it, Lynda reached out and ruffled her hair with a soft smile. “Silly girl, nothingsts forever. When we were kids, we yed together every day. But as we grow, we all take different paths.”


    Aurora nodded, even though the truth of it stung. She had learned this lesson early in life. Her parents, despite their deep love for each other, had always been engrossed in their careers. They had mastered the art of bncing work and family without losing themselves in either.


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    She and Lynda had been through so much—burning the midnight oil for exams, sneaking out for street food to celebrate when they were done. They had huddled under the same umbre on rainy afternoons and dashed through snowfall, breathless andughing, until their fingers were too numb to move.


    But now, no amount of shared memories could stop time from pushing them forward. The only thing Aurora could do was raise her ss.


    “To new beginnings.”


    Lynda clinked hers against it. “And to yours, too.”


    That evening, they parted ways. As Aurora watched Lynda’s figure disappear into the city lights, a quiet mncholy settled over her. There was no telling when they would meet again.


    On her way back to campus, her phone buzzed. It was Dunn. “Have you eaten?” he asked.


    “I have. Dunn, I feel a little down.”


    “What’s wrong?”


    “Lynda won’t be around much anymore.”


    Dunn’s voice was gentle, soothing. “That’s only natural. Our professor sees great potential in her.”


    Aurora exhaled, troubled. “Why does growing up mean watching people leave?”


    “Who else has left?”


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