Didn't Bella transfer from Alnewgo University?
Cynthia gave a faint amused smile. "It's a good thing you know where you stand. Bella isn't the same woman anymore. She's like something out of a dream now—beautiful, distant, and completely untouchable."
Jack felt something stir in his chest. He had always considered himself exceptional, someone who could match her.
But after hearing Cynthia's words, he couldn't help but waver. That certainty he once had about his feelings for Bella began to slip.
Time wore love down faster than anyone expected. In just a year, Bella had completely transformed. She was now in a league of her own, surrounded by people far more brilliant than the boy she'd once known.
Would she even remember Jack—the guy she met by chance at Alnewgo, the one she shared a brief, complicated chapter with?
Maybe her mother's plan had worked after all. After seeing the vast sky, it was hard to feel at home in a small town again.
Every now and then, Jack still dreamed about his time with Bella. But after a year, even those were starting to fade. Her face, once so vivid, had already begun to blur.
His expression turned distant, almost lost in thought. Cynthia noticed and gave his shoulder a light pat.
"Come on, wake up. I'm not trying to put you down, but Bella's like a cloud on the horizon. She's not someone we can ever really hold onto. Be realistic. Instead of staring up at the sky, why not hold on to what's already in your hands? Keep moving forward."
Cynthia still saw Jack as that boy from Perthter City. Yes, he'd been the top scorer in the city, and that made him stand out.
But compared to someone like Bella, he still seemed worlds behind. After all, Montclair Conservatory was one of the most elite institutions in the entire country.
The first time Jack had returned home, Emily hadn't known what he liked to eat, so she'd had the kitchen prepare everything he might possibly enjoy. Now that she knew his tastes, there was no need to go overboard. Just a few dishes he liked were enough.
"Jack, we've got a big real estate project launching in Alnewgo City. Want to come take a look?" Quintis asked casually as the family enjoyed their meal.
Jack hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm in my senior year so things are pretty intense with school."
Quintis' brows furrowed slightly as he replied flatly, "If you get the chance, you should still go take a look. When would you be free? Actually, why don't I have Tristan bring you there? You're back now so it's time you started getting familiar with these large-scale projects. It'll be good for your future."
In truth, Quintis was growing anxious. He wasn't getting any younger. His original plan had been for Tristan to inherit the family business, but now that Jack had returned, that plan was shifting. It was only natural to begin involving him in the family's affairs."
More importantly, there was an agreement with the Dodger family's daughter. The two-year deadline was drawing closer by the day.
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