The Star That Lit the Way

When I submitted my application for rural volunteer work, my department director, Randy Bosworth, urgently pulled me aside.“Dante, this assignment will last at least fifteen years. You’ve always cherished your wife and child—maybe sit this one out.“You know what this means for those children,” he pressed. “It’s not a decision to make lightly.”I listened to his earnest advice, then nodded firmly.“Trust me, Randy. After all these years of working, this has always been my dream. As for my wife and daughter, someone better will take care of them.”Then I shook his hand, my resolve unshaken.Randy sighed and gave my shoulder a helpless pat.“I understand, Dante. But teaching out there isn’t just hard—it can be dangerous. Poverty breeds more than hardship; it breeds fear and mistrust. I hope you’re ready for that.”Before I made my decision, I had done my research.Yes, poverty and backwardness often come hand-in-hand with outdated beliefs. But I wasn’t afraid of hardship or dan

Luna had changed into her pajamas and looked every bit the angelic child. When I reached to caress her cheek, another slap shattered what remained of my fatherly tenderness.“Mommy said we’re going out for dinner. It’s Uncle Jason’s birthday today.”Jason’s birthday? I pulled out my phone and laughed bitterly. This date had once marked my wedding anniversary with Amber. In the past, I'd scour the city for perfect gifts. Now, the thought of buying anything seemed absurd. She wouldn't want tokens from me anymore.“I understand. You can go ahead now.”On this final day, I didn’t argue with Amber. I changed my clothes and followed behind them.Luna was practically glowing. She skipped along happily as she held Amber’s hand and pulled Jason’s with the other. “What a beautiful family! You can see the love between them.”“That little girl's adorable! She has such good genes!”At the strangers’ praise, Luna darted over and pointed first at me, then Jason. “Who do I look mo

I couldn’t find the words to express my guilt. My Mom simply responded with quiet hums.At the end of the call, neither of us said anything more. We could only hear each other’s quiet sobbing until the line finally disconnected.Bracing against the cold wind, I walked home alone. By the time I arrived, Luna had already fallen asleep, but Jason hadn’t left yet. Over the years, it had become common for him to spend the night at our house.Silently, I headed toward the guest room. As I passed the bathroom, I heard Jason’s voice.“My mother brought up marriage again today, Amber.”His words were blunt, and Amber remained silent for a long time.I fled the spot as if on instinct, afraid of hearing the answer, afraid of confirming what I already knew.To Amber, our marriage was simply one of convenience.Yet it still hurt me deeply. I had begged for our relationship.As I packed my things, I left behind all traces of the years I had spent with Amber. There wasn’t much,

“Why would I know that?” Amber asked, baffled by the question. Mom quickly masked her expression.“Amber, I’ve known from the time you married Dante that you've looked down on him. You believed he had no future. But now that you’re here, let’s speak plainly.“No matter what happens between you two or whether you remarry, Luna will always have a place here. “As for Dante, since he’s the one who brought up divorce, we respect his decision and we hope you will, too.”Mom’s gentle gaze suddenly sharpened.“I don’t care why you’ve come today. But if you’re here to shame Dante, then I have nothing to offer you. What you do need to know is that he’s gone to do what he’s meant to do.”Seeing that Mom wouldn’t budge, Amber’s temper flared. Abandoning any pretense of politeness, she knocked over the dishes in front of her.“Dante and I are still married, Mom. What do you mean you ‘have nothing to offer’? And divorce requires two people, doesn’t it? I never agreed to it.“If he wants

Many people came to see me off. Some were my students, others were parents of my students. A few had even risen to leadership positions. I shook hands with each one, my eyes welling with tears. I felt honored to have guided wave after wave of students over thirty years. This place was no longer a symbol of poverty.Some left the mountains while others returned. It was thanks to them that the village transformed completely over three decades.“Daddy…”When I reached the last child, my heart skipped a beat. I had never taught this student, but I had raised her.“Luna, it’s you.”The words caught in my throat as tears threatened to drown me. Luna stood before me, grown now, with a child of her own. Every night in her dreams, she cursed her youth, wishing she had understood better back then.“Hello, Sweetheart.”“Daddy, do you remember Mommy?” As she spoke, she pulled someone to her side.The question felt strange. I turned to the woman next to Luna. Amber had aged,