Later that night…
"Why did they even put a clock in this store?" Mira muttered under her breath. "Time never seems to move. Every time I check, barely five minutes have passed. It's driving me insane. Do you think I should just throw that clock away?"
She looked up mid-rant and froze when she realized the woman standing at the counter wasn't her colleague, but a customer - a well-dressed lady probably in her mid-40s, pondering how she should respond to the absurd question that was imposed on her.
"That must suck," the woman said with a polite smile. "But you do realize I have no idea how to help with that. So… maybe just ring me up?"
Mira blinked in embarrassment. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I thought you were my colleague for a second— not that you look like them! I just… I'm tired. Really tired. Please forget I said anything."
The woman chuckled, not the least bit offended. "You must be running on fumes. What's your name, dear?"
"Mira. Mira Caelan."
The woman's eyes flickered with recognition. "Caelan… Wait, that Mira Caelan? From the—well, the press certainly had a field day with your family, didn't they?"
Mira gave a tired, dry smile. "Yeah. That was us. Caelans gone broke. Front page drama."
The woman's voice softened. "That must've been hard. Are you studying and working at the same time?"
"I'm trying to save up," Mira replied. "Looking into scholarships, trying to get through college. Just… piecing things together."
"Which college?"
"Lakemont."
"Good school," she nodded approvingly and extended a hand. "I'm Lucy Evermore. Just call me Aunt, if you like."
Mira shook her hand, still a little surprised. "Nice to meet you, Aunt Lucy."
Lucy tilted her head thoughtfully. "You know, I used to work with a few educational aid programs. Some of those contacts are still around. I'd be happy to send you a few scholarship links — especially ones meant for students who've had a hard fall. You'd qualify for more than you think."
"You'd really do that for me?" Mira asked, blinking in disbelief.
Lucy smiled warmly. "Everyone needs someone to believe in them. And I always wondered what happened to Jenny's kid."
Mira's eyes widened. "You knew my mom?"
"I did. We were classmates in high school. Your mom and dad… their romance was the kind that made the rest of us sigh. They were so in love. It breaks my heart how things turned out."
Mira's voice softened. "I don't remember much… just stories, and pictures. It still doesn't feel real, sometimes."
"Well, maybe someday I'll tell you a few stories." Lucy glanced at her receipt. "But for now, give me your number. I'll send you what I can."
"Thank you. Really," Mira said. "I'd really appreciate that, Aunty Lucy."
A few days later...
Mira sat cross-legged on her apartment floor, laptop balanced on a pillow, a forgotten cup of instant noodles going cold at her side. Her back ached from the sleepless nights she'd spent pouring everything into that application — the essay, the documents, the letters, the hopes.
She stared at the email in her inbox.
Subject: Scholarship Decision – The Resilience Grant
She clicked it.
Dear Mira Caelan,We are delighted to inform you that you have been selected as one of this year's scholarship recipients…
Her vision blurred. She blinked, then read it again. And again.
A choked laugh slipped out — shaky, breathless. Her hands flew to her face as emotion bubbled up inside her. Was she laughing? Crying? Maybe both.
Her phone buzzed.
Aidan:How's it going, firecracker? Any news?
She didn't type. She video called.
Aidan picked up almost instantly. His face filled the screen, looking tired but alert. "Please tell me this is a happy call and not another ramen-stress-meltdown."
"I got it," she whispered. "Aidan… I got the scholarship. I actually got it."
His mouth dropped open. "Wait—what?! Are you serious?! Mira, that's incredible!"
He whooped, throwing his hands in the air. "I told you! You did it!"
Before Mira could reply, a small face burst into the frame beside him.
"Miraaaa!" Lily squealed, climbing into Aidan's lap. "When are you coming back? I miss you sooo much. Aidan doesn't braid my hair right. And he burned the pancakes again!"
"Hey! That was one time," Aidan protested, mock-offended. "And it was technically more of a toasty golden-brown."
"You mean black!" Lily giggled.
Mira laughed, wiping at her eyes. "Oh, Lily… I miss you too, munchkin. I'll come visit soon, I promise. "
As the little girl scampered off in search of crayons, Mira's face softened. "How are you holding up, Aidan? Really?"
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean… new job is kicking my butt, and Lily has more energy than a nuclear reactor. But we're surviving. I just wish things were… easier, you know?"
There was a beat of silence.
"I still can't believe they locked Dad up," Mira murmured. "For something he didn't even do. And our own damn lawyer just dropped the case and walked. Like we didn't matter."
Aidan's jaw tightened. "Yeah. I know. It's a mess."
"I'm trying to save up," she said, voice low. "So we can get a proper lawyer. One who actually gives a damn. I won't stop until we clear his name, Aidan. It makes me boil, the way they just abandoned him. Like he was disposable."
Aidan looked at her — tired, yes, but still full of fight. "You won't have to do it alone, Mira. I've got your back. Always."
Mira nodded, her throat too tight to speak. After a few more minutes of chaotic conversation — Lily demanding Mira promise pinky-cross-heart to come braid her hair again — they ended the call.
She sat in silence, the screen now black.
No champagne. No balloons. Just her, her laptop, and a flickering ceiling light.
But for the first time in a long time, Mira didn't feel like the world was caving in. She felt… anchored. She had a way forward.
Her story wasn't over. Not even close.
This was only the beginning.
And this time, she wasn't waiting to be rescued.
She was saving herself — and the people she loved.