Chapter 5: A Secret Dream
The smell of roasting coffee beans and freshly baked pastries filled the air as Evelyn stepped into the small but well-known culinary school in the city.
In her past life, she had spent her youth chasing Adrian, never stopping to think about what she truly wanted.
This time, she had a goal.
She approached the registration counter, where a middle-aged woman with a warm smile greeted her.
"Hello! Are you here for the introductory course?"
Evelyn nodded. "Yes. I'd like to enroll."
The woman handed her a form. "You'll start with basic culinary skills, but if you do well, we offer a full professional program."
Evelyn took the form and signed it without hesitation.
Her new life started now.
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Later that evening, as she returned home, she found her father, Richard Ravenshire, sitting in the living room, checking his phone.
He glanced up. "You missed the gala."
Evelyn nodded. "I didn't feel like going."
Her father raised an eyebrow. "That's… unexpected."
She hesitated before saying, "Father, what would you say if I told you I wanted to study something outside of business?"
He set his phone down. "What do you mean?"
She took a breath. "I've always loved cooking. I want to study culinary arts and eventually open my own restaurant."
Silence.
Then, her father chuckled. "Well, that's a surprise."
"You're not… disappointed?" she asked cautiously.
"Sweetheart, I only want you to be happy," he said. "If this is what you want, then pursue it. Just promise me you'll work hard for it."
Relief flooded her. "I will. I promise."
For the first time in both her lives, her future was hers to decide.
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