LOVE BEYOND THE PAIN의 모든 챕터: 챕터 261 - 챕터 270

"Are you sure you don't want to take Aurelia to see a psychologist or someone like that?"The concern in Nyonya Lestari's voice was soft but unmistakable. She looked at her son with gentle eyes filled with a mother's worry she couldn't quite hide.Gian slowly shook his head."There's no need, Mom. I'm sure my wife just needs someone she can talk to. She's carried the weight of her life alone for so long. She rarely shares even the little things. My job now is to make sure she never feels alone again."The middle-aged woman fell silent for a moment, carefully considering his words before giving a small nod."All right. I trust you, Gian. I just hope... nothing bad happens again.""I hope so too," Gian replied quietly.The two of them sat in comfortable silence until the sound of footsteps drifted down the staircase.The light, familiar rhythm immediately changed the atmosphere in the dining room.Aurelia appeared wearing

Aurelia stared at the laptop screen without blinking.The morning light filtering through the tent made the words on the screen appear brighter than usual, almost as if it were highlighting every sentence that now had her heart beating faster.[Good morning, Aurelia. I have reviewed the revisions to Chapters 2 and 3 that you submitted. Your research demonstrates a depth of analysis that I rarely encounter at the graduate level. However, there is something important I would like to discuss with you in person. I have received an offer for a collaborative research program from one of our partner universities in the Netherlands, and I would like to recommend you as one of the candidates, considering your experience in Sydney a few months ago. The program begins in two months. We need to meet this afternoon to discuss it.]Aurelia instinctively covered her mouth.“The Netherlands...?” she whispered, as though the words were too overwhelming to leave her lips.She read the email again. Then

“You’ve got this, Lia.”“Yeah,” Wulan replied, giving Aurelia’s shoulder a gentle pat. “You managed to win your mother-in-law over. I’m sure you can handle this too.”Aurelia only grimaced before forcing a smile that never quite reached her eyes. Her stomach felt a little tight, not because anything was wrong with her pregnancy, but because she was nervous. She slowly exhaled, trying to calm herself.The graduate school building felt colder than usual that afternoon. Maybe the air conditioning was turned up too high, or maybe it was the tense atmosphere on the second floor, where Professor Malika’s office was located.The sound of Aurelia’s footsteps echoed as she climbed the stairs. Each step seemed to add another weight to her shoulders. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her shoulder bag.By the time she reached the office door, her heart was pounding.Just then, two

The air in the second-floor hallway felt heavier than usual. Every step Aurelia took felt like walking over sharp gravel, slow and painful. The door to the advising room had closed behind her, but Professor Malika's flat voice still echoed in her ears.Her hands trembled as she reached into her bag for her phone. She stared at the screen for a moment, hesitating. Part of her wanted to go home quietly and cry alone inside the tent. But another part of her wanted to hear Gian's voice.Finally, her thumb moved. She tapped the contact number she knew by heart.The phone rang once.Twice.Then that calm, familiar voice came through."Yes, sweetheart?"The softness in Gian's voice made Aurelia's defenses crumble instantly.Her voice came out hoarse. "Gian... I'm tired."There was a brief silence on the other end."Are you on campus?""Yes.""Where exactly?""On the stairs near the garden behind the faculty building.""Don't move. I'll come pick you up.""Gian, you don't have to go through a

That morning, the campus sky was a pale gray, as if it were holding its breath along with Aurelia.Her hand tightened around the strap of her bag as she climbed the stairs to the second floor, toward Prof. Malika’s office. Each step felt like another heartbeat pounding harder than the last.The faint whispers of other students drifted through the hallway, but Aurelia barely heard them. Her mind was still focused on yesterday’s meeting.When she reached the door, Aurelia took a deep breath.Stay calm, Lia. You did nothing wrong. You just need to be stronger.She knocked twice.“Come in.”That flat voice immediately sent a shiver down her spine.Prof. Malika’s office was neat and cold. Psychology textbooks lined the tall shelves in perfect order, while the polished wooden desk was spotless. The strong aroma of black coffee lingered in the air.The woman in her forties sat behind the d