Chapter 8
637 Words
Graduation day finally arrived.
Westbridge University was decorated with flowers and banners as proud families filled the campus. Cameras flashed from every direction while graduates hugged their friends, celebrating the end of an important chapter of their lives.
Sophia adjusted her graduation gown and cap before taking a deep breath.
"We actually made it," Lily said excitedly.
Sophia smiled.
"We did."
"I still remember our first day here."
"The day you got lost?"
Lily laughed.
"Please don't remind me."
"You were the one asking first-year students for directions."
"They looked more confident than I was."
The two friends burst into laughter.
A voice interrupted them.
"Sophia!"
She turned around immediately.
Her parents, Daniel and Grace Clark, were walking toward her with bright smiles.
Her mother hugged her tightly.
"I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Mom."
Daniel placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I knew you could do it."
Sophia smiled warmly.
"I'm just happy it's over."
"Now your real life begins," her father replied.
She nodded, not realizing there was another meaning behind his words.
---
On the other side of the campus, Richard and Eleanor Lockwood stood proudly beside Ethan.
"You've made us proud again," Eleanor said.
Richard nodded.
"You've worked hard."
"It was nothing," Ethan replied calmly.
Alexander, who had also come for the ceremony, smiled at his younger brother.
"Congratulations."
"Thanks."
Although Alexander was smiling, there was something hidden behind his eyes.
He had always lived in Ethan's shadow.
Wherever Ethan went, people praised him.
It was something Alexander hated.
---
After the graduation ceremony ended, students and their families gathered outside to take photographs.
Sophia was laughing with Lily when she noticed Ethan a few metres away.
Their eyes met briefly.
Neither of them smiled.
Neither of them waved.
They simply looked away and continued with their families.
Lily noticed.
"You two are unbelievable."
"What?"
"You've spent years in the same university and still act like strangers."
"We're not strangers."
"Oh?"
"We're... people who don't get along."
Lily laughed.
"That sounds about right."
---
Later that evening, Sophia returned home with her parents.
The Clark mansion was beautifully decorated to celebrate her graduation.
Several family friends had been invited.
Sophia greeted everyone politely before quietly slipping upstairs to change into something more comfortable.
When she came back downstairs, she noticed her father speaking with someone on the phone.
His expression was unusually serious.
The moment he saw her, he smiled.
"Sophia, come to my study after dinner."
She frowned slightly.
"Okay."
Something about his tone made her curious.
---
At almost the same time...
Richard Lockwood called Ethan into his home office.
Ethan knocked once before entering.
"You wanted to see me?"
Richard nodded.
"Sit down."
Ethan sat opposite his father.
There was a brief silence.
Then Richard folded his hands.
"There's something your mother and I should have told you years ago."
Ethan looked confused.
"What is it?"
Richard exchanged a glance with Eleanor.
"We'll tell you tomorrow."
Ethan frowned.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"It's important."
Ethan didn't like mysteries.
Especially not from his father.
But seeing how serious his parents looked, he simply nodded.
"Alright."
---
The following evening...
Sophia entered her father's study after dinner.
Daniel and Grace were already waiting.
Both of them looked unusually calm.
"Sit down, sweetheart," Grace said softly.
Sophia obeyed.
She looked from her mother to her father.
"What's going on?"
Daniel took a slow breath.
"There is something we've kept from you for many years."
Sophia smiled nervously.
"You're making me scared."
"You don't have to be scared."
Daniel paused.
"But what we're about to tell you may surprise you."
Sophia's smile slowly faded.
She suddenly had a strange feeling in her chest.
A feeling she couldn't explain.
And for some reason...
The first person who came into her mind was Ethan Lockwood.
To be continued…
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