CH.THIRTY EIGHT-MEMORIES

Rachel's POV

I was stunned as the words left his mouth. My gaze locked onto his, searching desperately for any hint of deception, but his eyes revealed nothing. Was it possible I had misunderstood him, just as he might have misunderstood my role in posting Helen's article?

“Someone else posted it without my knowledge, and…” he trailed off, his eyes falling to the ground for just a moment. Then, he looked back up, and our gazes met again, charged with unresolved tension.

In that instant, memories rushed back like an unstoppable tide, pulling me into a moment I had long buried.

Flashback

“Hey, Cecilia! Yes, today’s my first day of grad school as a master’s student,” I said over the phone, my voice bright with excitement. But even as I spoke, anxiety tugged at me. My eyes darted around the room, searching for something I held dear—my bracelet, the one I considered my lucky charm.

Wearing it today meant everything, but I couldn't find it.

“Ugh! Where is that bracelet?” My frustration boil