NovelEnglishChapter 302 Overnight, Mila's reputation in the tutoring world was utterly destroyed-everyone was talking, everyone was condemning her.
On a blisteringly hot summer day, Mila sat in the police station, repeating over and over that she hadn't stolen anything and hadn't laid a hand on the child. Her voice was raw, her lips cracked and peeling from dehydration, and sweat beaded across her skin despite the air conditioning. She was trembling uncontrollably, unable to keep her composure in the face of such humiliation.
In the end, with no evidence to prove she'd stolen or hurt anyone, the police couldn't detain her. But the scandal had already spread. She'd technically bent a few rules, so every cent she'd earned from tutoring was reclaimed, and on top of that, she was slapped with a hefty fine.
A call from her university cnext-a stern warning: she was forbidden from tutoring ever again.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn a single night, she went from having a modest savings to being flat broke, even owing money she didn't have.
It was her best friend, Miranda Wayne, who finally got the call. Miranda rushed down to the station, paid the rest of Mila's fine, and got her released.
Outside, the city was alive with summer noise-kids begging their parents for ice cream or toys, adults pretending to protest but giving in, laughter and chatter everywhere. To Mila, it all felt impossibly distant, like the happy scenes belonged to another world.
For a moment, she honestly wondered if she could go on. The thought flickered in her mind-what was the point of trying anymore? "Mila?" Just then, when despair threatened to swallow her whole, a warm hand clasped her ice-cold fingers. Miranda's eyes were full of worry as she looked at Mila, who was silently crying.
Through her tears, Mila choked out, "Miranda, it's just so hard..." All she'd ever wanted was a simple, honest life-nothing special, nothing ambitious, just a little bit of peace. Why was that so impossible? Miranda's own tears spilled over. Right there on the busy street, she pulled Mila into a fierce embrace, holding her like she could keep her from falling apart.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," Miranda whispered, again and again, as if trying to pull Mila back from the edge.
Mila clung to her friend's warmth, biting her lip, and finally broke down in quiet sobs that soon turned into gut- wrenching cries. She didn't care who saw; Miranda just held her tighter.
In that moment, Mila found a little piece of salvation. She realized she still wasn't ready to give up on this world, not while there was even a scrap of kindness left for her.
It didn't take Mila long to pull herself together. She'd grown up in a loveless home, so despair wasn't new to her. Each tlife knocked her down, she'd gotten back up-stronger every time.
This twould be no different. She was sure of it. As long as she could draw breath, she would start over. Back in their dorm room, Mila glanced at Miranda apologetically. "I promise I'll pay you back. Every penny." Miranda was the best friend she'd ever had-genuine, loyal, the kind of person you rarely meet. Mila valued their friendship too much to ever take advantage of it, so she almost never asked Miranda for help, especially not money.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut this twas different.
Miranda just grinned and clapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, don't stress! That's what best friends are for. Of course, you'll have to payback-no interest, though. Just rememberwhen you're rich and famous, okay? Takeout for a beer and sbarbecue!"
Hearing this, Mila finally breathed easier. Miranda always knew how to protect that tiny scrap of dignity Mila was clinging to. Honestly, Miranda probably believed in her more than Mila believed in herself. Mila hugged Miranda tightly, nuzzling into her neck until Miranda burst out laughing and hugged her back.
Their laughter was warm and bright, a little patch of sunlight in the middle of a hard summer.
Later, Mila received a text from an unknown number. She knew it was from Lysander Montgomery-his way of trying to make her give in, trying to buy her affection. She blocked him without hesitation.
Miranda paid her next semester's tuition and even transferred her five thousand for living expenses, urging her to use it without worry and pay her back whenever she could. "Just don't forgetwhen you make it big," Miranda teased. Mila didn't say thank you again. She just hugged Miranda hard and accepted the help. She needed it now more than ever.
Sometimes, Mila thought maybe fate hadn't completely abandoned her—after all, it kept sending her good people, just when she needed them most.
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