Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty-Two (Aunt's Worries)
Daniel dropped Isla off at home, bid her goodbye, and told her he would pick her up every morning for work. She was delighted with this new routine and excited about the work she was set to complete. It had always been her parents' dream, and now it was hers too.
As she entered the house, she found her aunt sitting on the chair, her face pale and sorrowful. Isla leaned in, planted a kiss on her forehead, and asked:
"Auntie, what's wrong? You look so sad."
Her aunt replied:
"My son George is stalling again. He doesn't visit or miss his mother. He's spent his whole life indulging in distractions and wasting time."
Isla reassured her gently:
"Don't worry, Auntie. He will come around. Let him be; he's at an age where distractions seem endless. One day, he'll come back to you when he needs the comfort only a mother can provide."
Isla managed to console her aunt a bit, promising to always be there for her. They shared dinner together, during which Isla told her a few amusing stories about her adventures with Iris, trying to bring a smile to her aunt's face. And she succeeded—her aunt smiled as they watched Rocky leap around them, playing as though he was rediscovering his freedom. The sight reminded Isla of the vast open spaces Rocky had enjoyed on the island. She knew he, too, was suffering from loss, longing for his original home. He had lost something precious: the pure, untainted air he breathed every morning.
Isla managed to lift her aunt's spirits, even if only a little. She kissed her goodnight and wished sweet dreams for her and Rocky. Then she climbed the stairs to her room, seeking the solace of sleep. But the image of her father still lingered in her mind every night, leaving a deep mark on her heart that would not fade quickly.
Now, she was trying to piece herself together, adjusting to this new life chosen for her—one she hadn't chosen for herself.
She lay on her bed and turned off the light, her heart full of hope to wake up to a brighter tomorrow. Excitement coursed through her for the new job, a chance to carry on her father's work and fulfill the dream he had tirelessly pursued. He had spent his life conducting countless experiments to find ways to protect the creatures of the deep sea from the pollution created by human hands.
But the question remained:
Would she succeed?
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