Chapter 15: A Life Beyond Goodbye

Three days later, I boarded the flight to Etolia.

As the plane lifted into the clouds, I looked out of the window one last time.

Everything that had happened in Manhorne slowly disappeared beneath the endless sky.

I didn't cry.

Some endings no longer deserved tears.

When I arrived at the Northern Medical Research Center, Professor Moore personally welcomed me.

"Welcome, Nina," he said with a warm smile.

"From today onward, your only responsibility is your research."

I nodded gratefully.

"Thank you for giving me another chance."

"No," he replied.

"You earned it yourself."

The following weeks were the busiest I had experienced in years.

Every day was filled with laboratory work, clinical meetings, and medical research.

For the first time in a very long while, my life revolved around my own dreams instead of someone else's.

One evening, Julia handed me an international medical journal.

"Congratulations," she said excitedly.

"Your research proposal has been officially approved."

I smiled.

"Really?"

"Professor Moore believes you'll become one of the youngest lead researchers in the program."

For the first time in years, I felt proud of myself.

Not because I was someone's fiancée.

Not because I was trying to earn someone's love.

But because of my own achievements.

Meanwhile, news from Manhorne occasionally reached the research center.

The de Rossi family was facing internal conflicts.

Several business partners had withdrawn their support.

The alliance between the de Rossis and the de Lucas had officially collapsed.

Isobel quietly left Manhorne before giving birth.

No one knew where she had gone.

Dante resigned from his position within the family business.

He disappeared from public life.

I listened to the news without saying anything.

Those people belonged to another chapter of my life.

Months passed.

Winter turned into spring.

My research team successfully completed the first stage of our international project.

At the celebration dinner, Professor Moore raised his glass.

"To Dr. Nina Ford."

"May your future always belong to you."

Everyone applauded.

As I smiled, my phone vibrated.

There was only one new message.

It came from an unknown number.

"Congratulations on your achievement."

"I'm proud of you."

There was no signature.

I knew exactly who had sent it.

I looked at the screen for several seconds.

Then I quietly deleted the message.

Some people deserved forgiveness.

That didn't mean they deserved another chance.

I slipped my phone into my pocket and returned to my colleagues.

Outside the window, the first snow of the year began falling softly.

I watched the snowflakes drift through the night sky.

My heart felt lighter than it had in years.

The wedding that never happened had once seemed like the greatest tragedy of my life.

Now I finally understood.

It had actually been my salvation.

Because losing the wrong person had allowed me to find myself.

And that was the happiest ending I could ever ask for.