Chapter 58: October Sunlight Streamed Through the Curtains

October sunlight streamed through the curtains as Clara Whitmore's phone chimed with a new email notification.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it.

The subject line read: "SCI Journal Preliminary Review Approval."

"Oh my God!" Sloane Bennett's shriek nearly shattered the phone speaker. "Clara! You got into an SCI journal!"

Clara pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile. "It's just the first round. There are two more reviews."

"With your skills, it's guaranteed!" Sloane squealed. "We're celebrating tonight—my treat!"

"I should be the one treating you."

"Stop arguing. I'll pick you up in thirty minutes!"

After hanging up, Clara opened her closet. She selected a pale blue floral dress with a modest V-neck that accentuated her delicate collarbones.

Her uncut hair now reached her shoulders. She tied it back with a matching ribbon.

A car horn honked outside.

Grabbing her purse, Clara descended the stairs. At the alley entrance, Sloane's car came into view—but her gaze caught on another familiar figure.

Elias Mercer was walking alongside a young man with a clean buzz cut, his smile radiant in the sunlight. They seemed engrossed in an academic discussion, with Elias nodding occasionally.

"Elias!" Sloane leaned out the car window.

He looked up. "What are you doing here?"

"Taking Clara to dinner." Sloane's eyes locked onto the stranger. "And this is...?"

"A visiting grad student with questions." Elias instantly recognized his cousin's nosy tone.

Footsteps echoed from the stairwell.

Elias adjusted his glasses. "You two go ahead. I need to return to the lab."

"Join us!"

"No."

As Clara rounded the corner, sunlight filtered through the lattice wall, casting dappled shadows across Elias. His eyes behind the lenses seemed warmer.

"Your jacket..." she said softly. "I never got to return it."

She looked particularly fresh today, the floral skirt swaying with each step. Nude sandals emphasized her slender ankles.

Elias blinked. "I've been busy. Just stopped by to grab something."

"Don't overwork yourself." Concern laced her voice.

As they passed each other, Clara's foot caught. She pitched forward.

Elias spun around, his solid chest breaking her fall. His warm hands steadied her waist.

Dazed, Clara looked up, inhaling his faint pine scent.