Chapter 22
Claire threw herself into explaining the problems. She was direct and efficient, holding nothing back. She’d even brought her old lecture notebooks and handed them over to Josie.
Holding the slightly worn notebook, Josie felt her composure waver. She thought her second chance in life had stripped her of deep emotions, that she could face everything with detached calm.
After all, having seen life’s harsh realities, her heart felt like stagnant water—scarred and unmoving. But she was wrong.
Simple kindness could still move her. She could still believe in the good in the world, especially when it was something she’d desperately craved in her previous life.
Josie was an orphan. She’d lost everyone by age five or six, left to wander the village, relying on scraps of food from different households.
No one in the village liked her. She was treated as a burden, someone they wished would just leave.
The village paid her school fees, so Josie studied obsessively, terrified of giving them more reason to resent her. She dreamed only of escaping.
Meeting Aiden and the others felt like incredible luck. She treasured that connection, terrified of being a burden and not being good enough. Josie worked relentlessly to keep up and to please them.
She was practically at their beck and call, believing that if she was obedient and smart enough, they might finally like her, maybe even see her as family.
Because that’s what they were to her—the family she’d always dreamed of. But sometimes, sincerity isn’t returned in kind.
Josie traced the curled edge of the notebook, her eyelashes fluttering. “Claire, you’re giving me all your knowledge. Aren’t you afraid I’ll surpass you, like Ms. Wilcourt favors me more?”
“Then you’d better hurry up and do it. Steal some of that attention, lighten my load, won’t you?” Claire gave her head a light pat.
She added, “Silly girl, we’re a team. The stronger you are, the easier my job gets. That’s only good news. My only fear is that I’m not teaching you well enough and holding you back.”
“You’re not,” Josie whispered, her eyes now definitely red-rimmed. “You’re teaching me perfectly.”
The truth was, people are different. Not everyone was like Aiden and his circle. In Josie’s previous life, when Jaden helped her with her major, he’d merely recommended a few books.
Finding some notes scribbled inside, Josie had been so pathetically grateful she almost accepted his confession on the spot.
Later, she even spent day and night helping Jaden look up materials and attending lectures outside her major. She filled entire notebooks, all to help him prepare for grad school.
Looking back now, Jaden giving her books instead of his actual notes was probably just him protecting his advantage.
And years later, Jaden had constantly brought up that favor, reminding Josie over and over that all her achievements were thanks to him and that she owed him gratitude.
But the truth was, Josie had repaid his help many times over, tenfold even. She never owed them a thing.
Leaving the library around noon, Josie offered to buy Claire lunch.
“Save your money,” Claire waved her off. “I’m heading home. My schedule’s lighter now, so hit me up anytime you’re stuck. If you can’t find me, just message. If I don’t reply fast enough, go find Sean.”
Claire added, “He’s better with the core material than I am. Don’t let that permanent scowl fool you; he’s decent once you get used to him. You’ll see.”
Josie nodded eagerly, her earnestness reminding Claire of a puppy who’d finally found a home.
“Oh my, you’re too sweet. Being this sweet makes you a target, you know?” Claire tapped her cheek again. “Maybe keep that cool vibe going. It looks tougher.”
Josie laughed, a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Alright, I’ll take your advice.”
“See? That’s what I mean. Stop being so agreeable.” Claire waved goodbye. “Seriously, I gotta run. Go get something to eat, too.”
Josie hurried after her a few steps. “Claire, is our team planning to enter the school’s Medical Innovation Competition?”