Chapter 366
Shermaine had little experience with parental relationships, so she couldn’t quite judge what was normal, only observe silently. She wondered, “Did Joshua sense something off about Stephen too?”
Soon, they arrived at Serenity Cemetery. The morning was quiet, the grounds nearly empty.
Late autumn’s chill greeted them as they stepped out of the car, a gust of wind tugging at Shermaine’s floral dress. Clutching the bouquet of violets, she took Joshua’s outstretched hand.
Stephen, however, had already strode ahead, disappearing into the rows of graves with familiar ease.
By the time they caught up, he was clearing weeds around the headstone.
The grave faced south, overlooking the distant sea, a sweeping, tranquil view.
Watching him, Shermaine felt a pang of contradiction. There was something raw, almost tender, in the way he stood before his late wife’s resting place.
Once the weeds were gone, Stephen froze before the tombstone, staring at the photograph.
Shermaine studied it, too. Joshua’s mother had been striking, gentle, and elegant. She thought, “So that’s where Joshua got those eyes. Dionne’s eyes were like a winter galaxy, deep and luminous.”
She laid the violets down.
Joshua stood beside her, voice steady. “Mom, this is my wife, Shermaine Jean.” With that, he said nothing more.
Their visit was brief. After paying respects, Joshua had to return to work.
As they turned to leave, Stephen spoke for the first time, “Go ahead. I’ll stay a while longer.”
Joshua handed him the car keys. “Take the car keys. We’ll grab a taxi.”
Stephen accepted without another word.
Hand in hand, Joshua and Shermaine walked away. At the cemetery gates, they parted ways. He had to go to the office, and she went to university.
Upon returning to the Department of Chemistry, Shermaine was immediately approached by the dean, Hector Katz.
Hector asked, “Shermaine, how about we fast-track your graduation? Take a few exams, and you could skip straight to a master’s or even a PhD program.”
Shermaine blinked, “Is that necessary?”
“Absolutely,” Hector insisted. “Undergrad is a waste of your time. Frankly, I could petition the university to award you a master’s degree outright, then slot you into a doctoral program. What do you think?”
If approved, Shermaine would become the first student in history to earn a master’s within weeks of enrollment.
Given her groundbreaking work on the twin prime conjecture and her reputation as a mathematician, not to mention her chemistry expertise rivaling tenured professors, it was entirely reasonable.
After a moment’s thought, Shermaine agreed. Skipping straight to a PhD did sound appealing, but the proper procedures were necessary.
Chapter 366
In Ustrana, Kylie stirred awake in a sterile white room, her body heavy with exhaustion. Before she could fully register her surroundings, darkness swallowed her again.
As she drifted back into unconsciousness, a woman in a white protection suit entered, followed by a masked, diminutive man. He reported, “Her shattered bones have been reinforced with mechanical linkages, and her combat capabilities are significantly enhanced. We’ve also implanted a neural chip. She’s practically a cyborg now.”
The man added, “Your Highness, once she recovers fully, she’ll be ready to serve your purposes.”