Chapter 37
The sky was painted with soft twilight—pinks fading into purples, the first stars blinking into view. Julia sat by her window, fingers hovering over the keys, but tonight... she wasn't writing a story for the world.
She was writing a letter to someone who would never read it.
*Dear Grandma,*
*It's been months. I still miss you every day. But something's changing inside me. Slowly, gently... I think I'm healing.*
The tears came softly, like rain on a quiet evening.
*Your sunflower field is blooming again. I think you'd love how it looks in the evening light. I go there when I feel overwhelmed. It still smells like you—sunlight and lavender.*
Julia paused and smiled to herself.
*Something amazing is happening, Grandma. People are reading my stories. Real people. Strangers from places I've never seen. They say my words are helping them. Isn't that wild?*
She sniffed, brushing a tear off her cheek.
*You always told me stories had power. I didn't believe it until now. But I do. I really do.*
*Love always,
Your Jules.*
Clara smiled. "We think your story deserves to be read by even more people. We'd love to feature you in our upcoming newsletter—and possibly nominate you for our 'Young Author of the Year' program."
Julia's heart was pounding.
"Is... this real?"
Clara chuckled. "Very real. I've read every chapter of *The Girl Who Forgot How to Smile*. You have something special."
Julia didn't know what to say.
She just nodded—tears already forming.
---
*Later That Evening – In the Field Again*
Julia ran to the sunflower field, barefoot, laughing breathlessly. She dropped her backpack and spun in circles like she used to when she was younger.
Callen found her there, out of breath from chasing after her.
"You're not gonna believe this!" she shouted.
"Try me!"
And she told him everything.
He stood there, stunned. "You're going to be *famous*, Jules."
She smiled wide. "No. I'm just going to be *heard*."
And that meant everything.
They sat under the sunflowers as the sky faded into evening. Julia opened her notebook and read him the next chapter she was working on.
For once, there was no sadness in her voice.
Only hope.
---
*Two Days Later – A New Challenge*
An email arrived.
It was from an editor on Webnovel.
She folded the paper gently and placed it in a little box under her bed. That box had become her secret garden—full of letters, notes, sketches, and dreams.
Letters never sent.
But always felt.
---
*The Next Morning*
School felt lighter than usual. Julia wore her sunflower necklace with pride, and even when the teacher gave a surprise test, she didn't panic like she used to. She took deep breaths and told herself, *I can handle this.*
Callen noticed it too.
"You're glowing," he said as they walked home.
Julia rolled her eyes. "No I'm not."
"Yes, you are," he insisted, grinning. "You're smiling. Like, actually smiling. It's weird."
She laughed. "Maybe I'm just... starting to feel like myself again."
He nudged her shoulder playfully. "Or maybe you're becoming someone even better."
---
*That Afternoon – A Special Visitor*
When she got home, a woman was waiting on the porch.
She looked kind—mid-30s, carrying a leather bag and a clipboard.
"Hi, are you Julia?"
Julia hesitated. "Yes?"
"I'm Clara. I work with the *Young Voices Project*. We showcase young writers on a national platform. One of our scouts saw your story online and passed it to me."
Julia blinked. "Wait... what?"
*"We'd love to offer you a development contract. If you're interested, we'll guide you through the next steps to grow your readership and even earn from your writing."*
Julia stared at the screen in disbelief.
Callen nearly screamed when she showed him.
"This is it, Jules! This is your sign!"
But she hesitated.
"What if it's too much? What if I mess it up?"
He looked her dead in the eyes. "You've been through worse. You didn't break. You wrote your way through the pain. You're ready."
She took a deep breath.
And clicked: *"I'm interested."*
---
*The Night Before Her Feature Goes Live*
Julia couldn't sleep.
But this time, it wasn't fear that kept her up.
It was excitement.
She stood in front of her mirror, whispering to her reflection.
"You did it."
And she believed it.
---
*Meanwhile – A Letter Delivered*
At the village post office, a kind old worker named Mr. Dan found a small envelope with faded handwriting.
No return address.
Just the words:
*To Julia — From Someone Who Believes In Her.*
He delivered it himself.
Julia opened it slowly.
Inside, there was only one sentence.
*"Keep smiling. You're making the world brighter than you know."*
No signature.
But she had a feeling it came from someone who had been reading her heart closely.
She folded it, tucked it into her journal, and whispered, "Thank you.