Chapter 61: Clara Caught the Hidden Meaning in Her Words and Curved Her Lips

Clara caught the hidden meaning in her words and curved her lips slightly without further explanation.

Victoria flipped through the documents in her hands. "I remember you did your undergrad at Ashford University? Applying for grad school there again?"

"Yes."

"Academic or professional track?"

"Academic."

"Which field?"

"Biomedical science."

Victoria's brows lifted in surprise at the overlap with her own chosen major. "Any particular advisor in mind?"

"Professor Caldwell," Clara answered frankly.

"Miriam Caldwell?" Victoria's voice rose sharply as she recalled encountering Clara doing housework at the professor's home last time. Her expression turned peculiar. "You don't actually think cleaning her house a few times will make her break protocol to accept you, do you?"

Clara's fingers paused. "That was a special circumstance."

"Let me be honest—Professor Caldwell is notoriously strict in academic circles. She takes many doctoral students but very few master's candidates these days." Victoria adjusted her glasses. "I'm applying to her program too. You'd better change advisors while there's still time."

She felt she'd done more than enough.

"Thanks for the advice." Clara gave a slight nod and turned to leave.

Victoria stood frozen. That was it?

* * *

Warm air rushed through the subway car as Clara's frost-reddened fingers finally regained feeling.

Her phone buzzed in her bag. Seeing the caller ID, the corners of her eyes crinkled. "Professor."

"How was the exam?" Professor Caldwell's voice held a smile, as if making small talk.

"Finished all the questions."

"You've always been reliable." The professor sounded pleased. Clara's undergraduate transcript had been flawless.

"Don't linger outside in this cold. Head back early."

"I'm on the subway now. I heard your leg pain flared up again? I bought some new medicated patches—I'll bring them this weekend."

Miriam's old leg injury from her youth acted up whenever the weather turned damp. Physical therapy two years ago had helped considerably, but the pain had returned this winter.

"Wonderful. I'll make soup for you this weekend."

Clara checked the station display as the train approached.

After hanging up, she merged into the rush-hour crowd exiting the train. Stepping out of the station, an icy wind slammed into her, making her stagger back.

Suddenly, steady hands gripped her shoulders. The familiar scent of cedar enveloped her as she looked up into Elias's smiling eyes.

"What a coincidence?" Her own eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Came back to get some documents. The roads are too icy to drive." He drew her closer. "Perfect timing to take you home."