Uncle Funded My Education Journey

Aylin Scott preferred a simple, uncomplicated life. She dreaded the whirl of chaos and complexity, feeling unprepared for such demands. Despite her strong desire to spend time alone with Francis Lawson, she wasn’t ready to admit she’d fallen for him. Perhaps she lacked the emotional strength or readiness to fully open her heart to love. She only wished to enjoy its sweet promise. The constant warmth in her smile was a clear sign to anyone observing that her time for love had come.

Milena Gibson often teased her recently, saying she was "destined for romance." Aylin would insistently explain, "Francis and I aren't like that." Even though Milena seemed to agree, Aylin knew she didn’t buy their friendship story. Aylin herself sometimes wondered if she was getting too emotionally involved.

Sitting alone in the classroom, Aylin rested her chin on her hands, getting lost in thought as she looked around the empty room. This was different from her earlier feelings of loneliness. In this quiet space, she could connect with her innermost thoughts.

Aylin was determined to be a good student, knowing how valuable her chance at the prestigious boarding school was. Yet, Francis’s irresistible kindness often seemed to distract her from this path, filling her with a sense of unease.

"Why are you still here?" The gentle, sweet voice belonged to Miss Toni, her teacher.

Toni felt slightly puzzled, as Aylin’s distant expression seemed to push her away. No, she couldn’t let this chance slip by, nor could she retreat. This young homeroom teacher, fresh out of college, silently encouraged herself as she casually picked up a book from Aylin’s desk, flipping through it awkwardly, "Brene Brown's book on the soul. It's a great read!"

"Yes, it’s quite interesting," Aylin replied with a nervous smile.

"Alright, it’s getting late. Head home!" Toni gave Aylin’s shoulder a friendly pat before leaving the classroom.

Watching Toni walk away, Aylin felt a bit uneasy. Miss Toni was so kind, graceful, and approachable, without any of the sternness or aloofness of a strict teacher. Yet, why did she feel frightened? She couldn’t explain it, but in those moments, even fearing kind people, she sensed the depth of her own loneliness.

She wished to escape her solitude, but would Francis be her knight in shining armor? He seemed to be, like a warm, lively flame. She hoped his warmth could reach her, melt her barriers, but she didn’t want to rush into declarations of love to avoid the pressure.

At home, Kayleigh Gardner paced anxiously around the kitchen, frequently peeking in. She was seething, but the ticking clock only heightened her agitation. Finally, she couldn’t hold back anymore and knocked on the sliding kitchen door, saying, "Are you just going to let this slide? At this rate, Aylin's going to end up like her mother!"

Raiden Gardner, chopping potatoes, set down the knife and smiled, "Mom, what’s the matter now?"

"What’s the matter? I’ve been here four days, and when has she ever come home on time? In a town like this, with all its attractions and distractions, she's probably getting mixed up with the wrong crowd!" Kayleigh was unfamiliar with and intimidated by the vivid outside world that seemed to captivate people unnoticed. Her son had been drawn in by it, spending little time at home.

"Mom, you’re imagining things. Aylin isn’t like that! Didn’t I tell Saleem she’s staying late at school for a project?" Raiden replied, trying to smooth things over. He knew Aylin was making excuses; her stories about projects or helping classmates were merely pretexts. She simply wasn’t in a hurry to return home and face her grandmother. Honestly, even he was relieved she wasn’t home early; her grandmother critiqued everything.

Just then, Aylin walked in. "Hi, Grandma," she greeted politely.

Kayleigh, who had been keeping an eye on the door, turned her head away, pretending not to see or hear Aylin. Aylin was used to this and wasn’t too hurt by it. She changed her shoes, washed her hands, and went to her room.

She left the door ajar, not wanting her grandmother to accuse her of shutting her out.

Kayleigh sat on the couch, the TV playing a soap opera she had no interest in. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Aylin flipping through a book. Kayleigh knew Aylin was deliberately avoiding her. Though Kayleigh didn’t care for the girl, she resented being actively ignored by her.

"Look at that dress! So short, how’s she supposed to wear it? Raiden, you spoil her, and she’ll land in trouble. She’ll just run off with some rogue, like mother, like daughter!" Kayleigh remarked about the tailored dress Aylin was wearing, which Raiden had made for her last week. It was new but not revealing. Many girls wore similar styles, yet Kayleigh criticized it anyway. These comments hit Aylin hard, and she slammed the door behind her.

Later, Raiden finished up in the kitchen, and seeing Aylin with her head buried under the covers in her room, he walked over gently. He lifted the duvet, saying in a soothing tone, "Come on, sweetheart! It’s hot in here. Aren’t you worried about getting a rash? Dinner’s ready!"

He reached for her hand and found it wet with tears. In the dim light, her tear-streaked face tugged at Raiden's heart. The pain and tenderness overwhelmed him. He pulled her close, "Hey, don’t cry. I know you’re hurt, but your grandma is old now. Let’s not take it to heart, okay?"

Raiden felt his attempts at comfort were weak.

His embrace was warm, exuding a fatherly scent, and Aylin appreciated being held like this, in a fatherly embrace. In this warmth, she couldn’t keep her tears at bay.

"Don’t cry now. It’s alright," Raiden murmured, soothing her like a child.

"Uncle, am I really so terrible that she would hate me?" Aylin sobbed. "She’s my real grandma. Why is she so harsh? She holds a grudge against my mom, but that's not me. Even during the family’s struggles, she loved you. Isn’t that right?"

Raiden wiped away her tears. Aylin was right. Her mother was tough with outsiders, but to her own children, she showed kindness. With her mother’s protective nature, Raiden’s childhood, teen years, and youth were happy. He couldn’t understand Aylin’s suffering in that home.

"Uncle, I know she resents my mom, but I haven’t had any contact with her in years, and Grandma knows that. Why transfer that resentment to me? Why suggest I’ll end up like her? I’m not like her. Even when Grandma is harsh, I’ve never considered leaving. I just want to avoid her hostility. Do you get that?”

Seeing the hurt in Aylin’s eyes, Raiden felt the family owed her too much, more than they could ever repay. She couldn’t continue living trapped by bitterness, pride, and insecurity. He wanted her life to be full, or at least appear that way. He knew what the child was missing the most.

"Aylin, can we talk about your mother?" Raiden asked cautiously.

Aylin was taken aback. Since her parents' divorce, this was the first time her uncle had broached the topic of "that person." She felt both nervous and eager, choosing neither to decline nor to accept outright.

"Your mom married into our family at twenty-two. She was a good woman, wanting to settle down with your dad. After she had you, she became even more grounded. I never questioned that! Over the years, you've seen the kind of man your dad is. Do you think any woman should devote her life to someone like that? Regarding their marriage, I want to defend your dad because he’s my brother, but as a woman, I must say your mom was a good woman, even when she gave up. It was tough for her." Raiden unexpectedly felt tears for Kayleigh Myers.

"She was a good woman, but she doesn’t deserve to be a mom."

"Don’t say that, Aylin. No good woman doesn’t want to be a good mom. When she left, she wanted to take you with her. I didn’t let her! I promised her I’d treat you like my own daughter. If you’re upset, blame your uncle. The further she is from you, the more she misses you. Try to understand her, okay?"

"Does she really miss me?"

"Of course, always."

Whether her uncle’s words were true or not, Aylin felt a rare sense of contentment at that moment.

"Aylin, one day, when you grow up, when you love someone and have children, you'll understand some bonds and loves can’t be severed."

Her uncle’s words made Aylin reflect deeply on relationships.

Aylin disappeared for two days before reemerging in the dormitory, her joy radiating brightly. Her happiness was so palpable it seemed to spill over, lighting up her entire presence. The girls had been worried about her, but upon seeing her now, they all seemed to have a revelation, nearly speaking in unison, "Oh, had a romantic encounter?"

Chelsea grabbed her playfully, "Tell us, was he everything?"

Aylin gently pushed her away, "What nonsense!"

Aylin laughed it off as a joke, and likely the other roommates did too, because she had already told Jemma her mother was visiting. But Sheila, who wasn’t in the know, naturally assumed it was about Eren after overhearing. Unsure of what to say, she left the room hurriedly, feeling a twinge of irritation.

In English class, Aylin sat beside Sheila like always. While pulling out her notebook, two combs from the Royalty Hotel slipped onto her desk. She set them aside and continued with her notes.

Sheila was annoyed, thinking Aylin had gotten close to Eren and refused to look directly at her. However, she noticed this small detail from the corner of her eye and blurted out, "Wow, Eren’s got money! A night at the Royalty Hotel is like, two or three grand. Two nights would cover our tuition for a year!"

Aylin chuckled at Sheila’s sour tone, "What are you thinking? I’ve only seen Eren once since we crossed paths on the pier."

Sheila’s mood lifted instantly, "Not Eren? So, you’re seeing a rich guy?"

"Stop kidding around! My mom flew in from Los Angeles. They’ve been saying this since I moved here three years ago. Why would she bother with a drunkard?"

"Really? Are you not going to give me another chance? We loved each other so much back then—don’t you remember? Aylin, you can’t be this heartless, you know? I still love you!" His voice was raw and desperate, filled with despair yet earnest.

Francis’s voice echoed through the phone. The confident young man she remembered was now different, changed by time. Yet she still felt an unexplainable sympathy. Strangely, tears started to fall as she silently wiped them away. The past? Was it truly over? She asked herself to forget, to release the sweet memories and painful scars.

"It’s over, Francis! It’s all over!" Her voice was firm.

"Can we at least stay friends, Aylin?" He sounded clearer now.

"No, thanks. Goodbye, Francis." Aylin responded coldly. She had once hoped for a light and fragrant friendship, like the scent of blooming flowers, but today he had shattered that peace. Now, nothing remained.

"Aylin, you’re so cold-hearted! Remember this—I love you, Aylin! Only you. I don’t even know why I love you so much..." Francis shouted into the phone, and the sound echoed in Aylin’s ears until they were numb. She instinctively held the phone farther away.

Sheila heard the shouting and smirked, deliberately raising her voice, "Wow, that’s intense! Why not give him another chance?"

This prompted Jemma, Chelsea, and Quinn to gather around, "What’s up?" "I knew it! A talented and beautiful woman like Aylin is bound to attract admirers!" "Shh—"

Aylin shot them a panicked look, covering the phone, "It’s not what you think. Go back to what you were doing!"

The girls laughed and dispersed.

Aylin spoke into the phone, "Francis, I have things to do, so I’m hanging up."

Love, once gone, is gone for good, unrecoverable.

Aylin finally settled at "Artsy Culture." Apart from an involuntary touch of melancholy, Aylin could be considered quite the head-turner. Attractive people do tend to blend in more easily, except for a few unfriendly glares from some women. Especially from Rebecca, who regarded Aylin as an adversary.

Aylin understood what this woman was thinking. People often project their own insecurities onto others. But she couldn’t hastily explain that she wouldn’t be the rival Rebecca imagined in competition over men.