Chapter 28: The Empty Hours
The final invigilator’s call to submit their papers marked the end of Elena’s examinations. As the crowded hall emptied into a chaotic wave of relieved students celebrating on the faculty lawns, Elena walked out with a heavy, unsharing silence in her heart. Her academic storm had cleared, but across the state, Julian’s was just beginning.
That midnight, when the blue light of her phone illuminated the dark walls of her off-campus apartment, Julian’s voice carried a distinct, exhausting edge. His own crucial examinations were about to commence—a grueling week of intense theological defenses, written papers, and unyielding oral evaluations before the strict panel of spiritual directors. These weren't just any regular tests; these were the gateway exams
