All Chapters of A New Dawn, A Different Path: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Eric Nottingham, the head of my department, was surprised after he heard my declaration. It wasn't the answer he had been expecting."Summer, this expedition will last close to two years. It will be a long and difficult assignment. Aren't you about to get married soon? Are you sure you want to join us? What does Luke think?"I looked at myself in the mirror—at the version of myself who hadn't yet been beaten down by the cruel passage of time. Conviction laced my voice as I said, "His opinion doesn't matter."Eric was stunned for a few moments before a knowing expression crossed his features."Understood. You have great potential when it comes to understanding the Glacian creatures. Since you've made up your mind, the expedition team welcomes you with open arms. Make your preparations. We leave next week."The expedition team was scheduled to depart on the same day as my wedding.Luke didn't take too long in the bathroom. Steam billowed out from behind him as he exited. The fog o

Luke's face was ghostly pale as he sprinted toward us. He grabbed Riley just before she tumbled down the staircase. I kept an iron grip on my emotions as I watched the two of them. The worry that Luke harbored for Riley was so palpable that I could nearly see it manifest in a tangible form.Riley's eyes were filled with tears as she stared at me. "Summer, I admit it was my fault. I shouldn't have kept Mr. Logan by my side, and I've already apologized to you. But no matter how angry you are at me, you still shouldn't push me down the stairs!"Luke picked Riley up after hearing her words. His gaze burned with fury when he glared at me. "Why did you try to hurt her, Summer? You know that she was injured recently. She would lose her life if she fell down the stairs! Since when did you turn into such a horrible person?"With Riley cradled securely in his arms, Luke shoved past me and hurriedly left the scene. My stomach collided with the railing and the excruciating pain that came after

The Logans were an old and powerful family in Seacrest City. More than half of Seacrest's finance circle had been invited to the wedding of the Logans' only son.Ever since I was a child, I loved clinging to Luke. No matter how fast he walked, as long as he turned his head, he would see me trailing after him. This time was no different. Luke had assumed that I was just throwing a temper tantrum and would come around eventually after my emotions had settled.I had dreamed of the wedding for over six years, after all. He didn't believe that I would miss it for the world. However, my car still hadn't shown up at the hall's entrance despite the seconds that ticked by. Luke's anxiety continued to spike until it reached a breaking point.He called his secretary. "Where are the people who were supposed to pick up Summer? The bride should be here by now!"The secretary's reply sent him into a full-blown panic attack. "Ms. Heathers isn't home. The guards said that she left the house early i

It was hard for Caleb and me to find the items that he needed to repair the bracelet on such a small island. We spent most of the day searching through them. When we made our way back to the ship, the sun was already beginning to set.We were strangers on the island. The lingering looks that the people gave us made me anxious. Caleb was on high alert and he kept me close to his side. When we were nearly at the customs, three muscular men suddenly appeared behind us.The men brandished gleaming knives while wearing smiles that spelled trouble for us. They pointed at our bags and babbled in a language that we didn't understand. When they realized that we weren't going to bend to their demands, they rushed at us, wanting to take our items by force.Caleb kicked at one of the men who got too close to me, sending him flying. He then knocked the knife out of another man's hand with a well-timed hit. I was shocked to see the spectacle unfolding before my eyes. I had no idea that Caleb had

When we arrived in Seacrest City, Alice gave everyone a month off to rest. We were to set out on another expedition to North Point in a month's time. Fireworks exploded in the sky as everyone celebrated the completion of a successful expedition. When I alighted from the ship and exited the harbor, I was stopped in my tracks. Every inch of the parking lot floor was covered in red roses, giving off the illusion of a sea set aflame. Luke stood in the center of that fiery sea. He was cradling a massive bouquet in his arms. He got onto one knee."Summer, welcome home. I don't care if you have a boyfriend. I still have the right to pursue you again."As I studied his clumsy attempt to win my favor, I felt like I was looking at myself from the past. While I was lost in my thoughts, Luke approached me before once again getting down on one knee."Summer, I only realized how much I cared about you after you left. I finally understood that what I felt for Riley was just my lingering feelings