Chapter 10 A Scholarship Offer; New Start

Amara wiped at her eyes roughly, forcing back the trembling in her chest. Her lips curled into a cold smile, though her voice cracked despite her efforts.

"Aren't you the same, Selene? You're chasing revenge too. Don't act like you're different from me. I just... I just want the truth."

Her voice wavered near the end, betraying the storm inside.

Selene's gaze hardened, her tone sharp and unyielding. "We're not the same. I know who my enemies are. I know exactly what I'm dealing with. You don't."

Amara let out a low, bitter scoff. "You think you're any better? Those people will ruin you the second they get their claws into you. Yet you still chose to stay in this goddamn city. Why don't you go back to your own country, huh? If you're so smart, why are you still here?"

For the first time, Selene's mask cracked. She pressed her lips together tightly, blinking fast to keep her tears from spilling. Her throat bobbed as she tried to swallow down the lump rising there.

Amara's voice faltered again, her body trembling as she snapped, "You think you're the only one who worries? You think you're the only one suffering?"

The air grew thick, heavy with grief and unspoken pain.

"Stop it, both of you!" Sora's voice cracked as she burst between them. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked desperately at the two people she loved most. "Please, let's not fight over this. Don't you see? It's tearing you apart."

Both Amara and Selene turned to her, stunned by the rawness in her voice. Sora's hands shook as she clenched them at her sides, her tears falling freely.

"As much as I want to carry your burdens with you, I can't," Sora cried, her small shoulders trembling. "I feel useless. Like I'm the only one here with no real pain, no right to even complain. But watching you both suffer like this-it hurts me too. It hurts so much."

The dam finally broke.

Seeing Sora cry shattered the walls Amara and Selene had fought so hard to keep up. Their tears spilled over, unstoppable now, and without another word, the three of them fell into each other's arms.

Amara clutched Sora's small frame, her voice ragged as she whispered through broken sobs, "Don't say you're fine, Sora. You have your own scars too. You're no better than us... and that's okay. We'll survive together. Somehow, someday."

Her trembling hand reached out to Selene, pulling her into the embrace.

Because behind Selene's cold exterior, Amara knew... she was just as broken.

The three of them cried in silence, holding onto one another like the fragile lifeline they were. Different pains, different scars-but in that moment, their hearts beat as one, all bound by grief, hope, and a desperate will to survive.

Sora sniffled, wiping the tears from her cheeks before forcing a grin. "Okay, enough crying. My eyes are already swollen-do you want people to think I fought with a cat?"

Her silly remark made Amara's lips twitch and even Selene's stoic face soften just a little. Sora puffed her cheeks dramatically. "See? I knew I could make you laugh. You should be grateful to have me-your emotional support clown."

The tension in the air eased, and for the first time, the room felt lighter.

Then Sora's stomach growled loudly, ruining the moment. She slapped her belly and turned to Amara with a pitiful whine. "Amaraaaa, I missed your cooking so much! Please make something for us. We're starving. I even prepared the ingredients in the kitchen-come on, let's go!"

Amara rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a faint smile. "You're unbelievable."

"Please, chef!" Sora clasped her hands like a child begging for candy.

With a sigh, Amara tied her hair back and headed to the small studio kitchen. Within minutes, the sound of sizzling filled the air, followed by the rich aroma of garlic, spices, and herbs. Sora and Selene unconsciously leaned toward the kitchen, practically drooling.

When Amara finally emerged, she carried a tray of steaming dishes-golden kimchi fried rice, creamy mushroom pasta, garlic butter chicken, and a bowl of miso soup to warm the stomach.

Sora's eyes sparkled. "Oh my god-marry me, Amara. You should open a restaurant. Honestly, your food is better than the five-star chefs back home."

Selene, too composed to gush like Sora, ate quietly with her usual grace, but the faint curve of her lips betrayed her satisfaction. Halfway through, she suddenly froze, her chopsticks hovering in the air as a thought struck her. But she quickly masked it, continuing her meal in silence.

After eating until their stomachs were full, Sora hopped up to wash the dishes, humming cheerfully. Selene, however, leaned closer to Amara, her expression returning to serious.

"You said you already plan on leaving your uncle's house," she murmured. "What are your plans?"

Amara set down her chopsticks, her face solemn. "I don't know yet. I'll figure something out."

Before Selene could respond, Sora came skipping back, rolling her eyes. "Ugh, Selene, don't be such a bore. Let's just tell her."

Amara blinked, surprised. "Tell me what?"

Selene shot Sora a glare, but Sora ignored it, her grin mischievous. "Do you remember that exam we took for fun that day?"

Amara frowned. "What exam?"

"The scholarship one!" Sora exclaimed, bouncing excitedly. "Remember? We applied just for laughs and ended up taking the test? We were arguing who was the smartest, remember?"

Amara's eyes widened as realization dawned. "Oh... that one. Don't tell me-"

Selene sighed and turned her laptop toward Amara. On the screen, a neatly displayed email glowed.

"Well," Selene said with deliberate calmness, "it turns out we all passed. Not just passed-we topped the results. They offered us full scholarships."

Amara's mouth fell open. "You're joking."

"Nope," Sora chirped proudly. "We're serious. And it's not just any scholarship-it's a special one, reserved for the best of the best."

At that, Selene reached out to shut Sora up, but it was too late. Amara's stunned expression said it all.

Selene managed a small smile, softer than usual. "I think... this could be a new start for you."