Chapter 118: Chapter 118 A Past Connection
Elara
After giving his instructions, Dominic headed out the door.
He was right. I hadn’t slept well. I kept waking up during the night to check on Nancy, making sure she was okay.
I rubbed my tired eyes and let out a long yawn. The exhaustion was finally catching up with me.
I stretched my arms above my head, planning to catch up on some sleep, when my phone rang. Professor Williams’ name flashed on the screen.
"Elara, it’s Professor Williams. Are you free to talk?"
I’d given my new number to Professor Williams at the reunion.
"Professor Williams, I’m not working today. Just finished lunch. What’s up?"
Professor Williams let out a gentle laugh. "Nothing urgent. I just wanted to make sure you’re alright after the reunion. Some of your classmates weren’t being very kind. I hope you didn’t take their comments to heart."
My chest warmed at her concern. Even after all these years, she was still looking out for her students.
"I’m actually relieved to see you doing so well. I used to worry about you. But seeing how much you’ve grown makes me very happy."
I felt a slight tightness in my throat, touched by her words. She had always been the one teacher who truly cared.
My lips curved into a genuine smile. "Thank you, Professor Williams. I’m grateful for everything you did for me. You always had our backs."
"As for those mean girls and their drama, I don’t let them bother me anymore. I used to be so sensitive. I’d lose sleep over every whispered comment. But I’ve grown up now."
"That’s wonderful to hear," Professor Williams sounded truly pleased. "Once you stop caring what others think, they lose all their power over you."
I nodded enthusiastically, even though she couldn’t see me. Her words resonated deeply with the journey I’d been on.
"Exactly. You know, a lot has changed in my life recently. Things are really looking up for me."
I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of pride as I prepared to share my news.
"I inherited my father’s business empire. My uncle managed it before, but I’ve only been in charge for a few months. Work has been going really well."
My voice grew softer, more personal. "As for my personal life, I’m having my wedding ceremony next month."
"That’s wonderful! I hope you don’t mind me asking, but who is the lucky guy?" Professor Williams sounded curious.
"Dominic Wolfe. Do you know him?"
There was a pause on the other end, and I could practically hear Professor Williams’ mind working.
Professor Williams made a sound of delighted recognition. "The Wolfe pack Alpha? Of course I remember him! That boy was brilliant. He was the most strategically minded Alpha I’ve ever encountered. "
My eyebrows rose in surprise.
I leaned forward, suddenly very interested in this glimpse into Dominic’s past that I’d never heard before.
“During academy combat tournaments, he was always one step ahead of his opponents. Funny thing though. He always placed second in competitions, but only by a single point.”
"Really?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity. "He always came in second? That’s... actually kind of hard to believe. Dominic doesn’t seem like the type to accept anything less than first place."
I frowned slightly, trying to picture a younger Dominic deliberately holding back. It didn’t match the intensely competitive man I knew.
"Professor Williams, do you think he was doing it on purpose? I mean, if he was always just one point behind..."
My voice trailed off as I processed this information.
There had to be more to this story.
I was about to ask more about Dominic’s competition record when Professor Williams’ tone suddenly shifted, becoming warmer and more excited.
"Oh my goodness," she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
"Elara, I can’t believe you married him! He’s one of the good ones. Do you remember that time three years ago when you fainted from low blood sugar during combat training?"
My mind went blank for a moment as I tried to recall what she was talking about. Then the memory hit me like a wave.
"Oh..." I breathed, my hand instinctively moving to my forehead as I remembered that embarrassing day. "Yes, I remember. I was so mortified."
"I was so worried. The school nurse was out sick that day, but luckily, Dominic had come to see me for a visit. He immediately carried you to his car and rushed you to the nearest hospital."
My breath caught in my throat. I sat up straighter on the couch, suddenly wide awake.
"Wait, Professor. You’re saying Dominic was the one who took me to the hospital that day?"
My voice came out higher than usual, tinged with disbelief.
I remembered fainting, but I had absolutely no idea that Dominic had been the one who helped me.
Professor Williams chuckled warmly. "Sure was. I guess that makes me your unofficial matchmaker, doesn’t it?"
"This is amazing news. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from your wedding!"
My mind was reeling as Professor Williams continued talking.
[Three years ago? That was long before we officially met.
Why had Dominic never mentioned this to me?]
